This short, biographical story is about the life, struggles, and tribulations of myself, Kyle Jensen. My memoir’s purpose is to shed light on mental health, God’s grace, and how love conquers all. Without the Lord, I would not be alive. I would have committed suicide long ago due to years of struggling with a multitude of traumas. Many people feel that individuals with bipolar are violent, which is a common misconception. In my perception, some folks think a person who has bipolar disorder or schizophrenia can just go crazy at the drop of a coin. Although it happens occasionally, for the most part, it is not true. To make matters worse in my situation, I am around 360 pounds. Not only am I rowdy when I am manic, can but can also elevate my voice. The loud volume causes others to be in a state of fear. However, their concern is unfounded. Manic or not, I am the gentlest person you will ever have the grace of meeting. I have been on record crying when I saw a toad killed on the side of the road.

I just wanted to point out that people perceive bipolar or schizophrenic individuals as a threat. Most, if not all of us, are pretty peaceful. I would compare us to a snake. We will not attack unless directly threatened. In my opinion, some people deserve to be talked to in a forceful manner, such as with profanity, because they must be educated. For instance, someone at a pizza restaurant near our house told me they did not have my order. He explained to me that I must have ordered at the place across town. Without hesitation, I asked for his manager while saying some four-letter words. As you might have guessed, the missing food showed up three seconds later. The mishap was just pure laziness on the employee’s part.

Throughout my life, God’s grace, and his eternal plan, helped me through several trials and misfortunes. My story is far from over. In fact, as a thirty-two-year-old, it is still on the rise. Sometimes I just have let go and let God take care of my situation. When I was in high school, if someone wronged me, I went for revenge. As an adult, I know that the best way to get back at a jerk is to walk away. Eventually, karma will take care of them. Through all my struggles and mental challenges, there was always a way to cope. As the old Greek myth goes, the only thing left in Pandora’s box after the evil came out was hope!