.315 | to Daniel S. Lobel, PhD, from Terry

There are those things - movies, songs, people, a piece of art - that come into your life at exactly the right time. They strike a cord that is ready to be struck. The impact is lasting and deep and more meaningful than if this thing had arrived at a slightly different moment.

A book called "When Your Daughter Has BPD" was recommended to me last month. I want to say thank you to Daniel S. Lobel, PhD, for having written this book, and to the therapist (LO) for having recommended it to me.

This book has given me the gift of increased understanding and knowledge, which then magically, wonderfully, changed into something even greater. Like an alchemist, Daniel Lobel's words helped turn my frustration and sadness and confusion into compassion and patience and resolve.

Mental health issues are hard for everyone. But let's not ever forget they are the hardest on the person who suffers from the illness, every day, every minute. They did not ask for this, nor would they would have chosen it. But compassion in handling the behaviors is a choice that we all can make.

There is a practical piece of advice in this book for those dealing with a loved one suffering from BPD - don't feed the monster. Daniel Lobel always couples this advice with the following: "Don't ever forget, the monster is the illness, not the person who suffers from it." Thank you to Dr. Lobel for guiding me so clearly to this distinction.