Hi Indigo,
A bit of feedback. I have found the greatest boon in reading Waveriders for me has been the discovery of the impact of my "up" states. Previously I had not been aware that these were the cause of my emotional plummeting.

And they are so enjoyable who would suspect! I always thought they were my compensation for the black times - well now I know better.

In simply engaging in conscious breathing when I am about to be swept out to sea on another mighty wave, and on getting my heartbeat to slow I have been able to avoid several energy consuming, swift and dead end trips already. I wish I had known of this a long time ago. My regrets would certainly be fewer. But I am grateful to know it now and realise my future can be a big improvement on my past.

Many thanks to you
Lisa Raumati
xx

Sent from a reader...Thank you so much for your quick response. I had previously ordered two of your books when my daughter was first diagnosed in April. Since then, more family members want to learn about the Waveriders and how to best support them, thus the second order of four books. Many thanks for your insight and hope you provide to all involved.
California
Name withheld for confidentiality.

Sent from a reader... I am anxiously (in a good way...not a high wave) awaiting your next book. Your first book literally leveled me out after years of wave riding. Just understanding and having perspective completely changed how I go through each day now. I can't thank you enough for your gift.

You're book literally saved my life. Really. I use an image of surfing on a wave, of keeping that balanced position on a wave whenever I feel the low sudden sinking or too high taking control. It's a very strong mental image. That image of surfing that level part of the wave saves me on a daily basis. I'm a type A, super service oriented, hero type of businesswoman. I have an image to others as a savvy fast paced get it done business person and I do get it done. I hide (very well) the other side. I would go, go, go to the point of burnout and then of course the inevitable depression and hide. I was getting sick a lot after every high wave. The highs came less and less and the lows were getting chronic.

Your book just really put my house in order. It changed my perspective and in turn I have a much better sense of calm which in turn has made me more efficient because I have focus. As I mentioned after 20 years I just stopped needing the anti-depressants. Didn't plan it I just noticed one day I hadn't picked up the bottle in months.

I have an artistic side, fast paced idea side and business side. Your writing about genius compared to society norms was right on. I've always been the peg that couldn't fit in the hole but moved through life at times along with society norms to fit in and function. 6 years ago I started what is now a very successful business and found my perfect work life for my mind set and energy type but with that came the guilt of making a very good living by not sitting at a desk. I'm an entrepreneur (not the norm). I think the guilt brought depression at some level of not meeting the society norm again. My business also has the high and low traits and I think I was riding the business cycle up and down. The section you wrote on genius and highs of artists and thinkers etc...fitting in to society norms (or really not) hit home. I feel a totally different sense of balance and understanding from reading and applying the ideas of your book. It's a daily discipline but definitely it is paying off with great rewards.

People generally think the movers and shakers of the world don't have the waves when in fact most of us do and that's why we produce. We just are very good at hiding the other side knowing it is viewed by society as a weakness.

Thanks
Name withheld for confidentiality.

Sent from a reader...
Dear Indigo,
I think I'm experiencing the mid-wave! Ever since April began, we've had unseasonably mild weather. This is the type of weather that can elevate my energy. I've been trying to keep it within and coat my cells with it like you said. Today I realized I feel like a whole new person. I haven't felt this level in years. I have been struggling with my self image ever since
the kids started moving out of the house. I had a total sense of peace and calm today with hope of living a good life from here on. Thank you so much! I will be ordering a couple of new books soon. I gave another one to a coworker the other day...
Name withheld for confidentiality.

Sent from a reader...
"...I just want to say thank you to Indigo for putting her struggle into words so that we others may benefit. At 45, I realized that I had to do something to fix what seemed wrong in my life. I've sought counseling sporadically since I was a teenager, but none of the counselors were more than sounding boards, (I may as well have been talking to the wall) and friends and family couldn't help much. Eventually, when I woke up one morning and couldn't function, and sat around crying but unsure why I was crying while needing to help my 2 children get ready for school, I finally realized I was depressed, and asked my medical practitioner to prescribe some medication for it. It took a while, but we found a fairly good medication that works for me. However, I noticed that there were times when I felt fine, better than fine, and then, even though I was on medication for depression, I could feel the depression festering inside me - though it didn't paralyze me anymore because of the medication.

A friend referred me to the Wave Riders website by chance. I was amazed because here were my feelings and the hitherto unrecognized patterns which had been controlling me for so much of my life. I think the most, MOST important part of Indigo's philosophy is that WE ARE ULTIMATELY IN CONTROL and can ride the waves without drowning in them, though it may not feel like it much of the time. Now when the grayness descends on my mind, I am able to remind myself that it is temporary, it will pass, and that I need to throttle back on my schedule and activites. And I know that it is okay for me to experience these waves, because I now recognize them, which is over half the battle to controlling the highs and lows. The euphoria is perhaps harder to handle than the depression. But now that I can name these feelings and stages that I go thru, they are no longer the fearsome monster within which can take control of me. I can wait out the bad feelings knowing that they will pass, and I can deny them a growth medium in my mind - simply by being informed that it is possible to do so. What a novel idea!

Is it easy? Or fun to ride the waves? No. It will always be a struggle I suspect. But it IS something that can be controlled through an understanding of the stages, and emotions and processes so that I can lead a joyful and productive life. My situation has already greatly improved. Thank goodness for Indigo's perseverence in espousing her thoughts and concepts on the waves, putting together her first book, and for making so much of it available to us for free on the internet. -

And why am I writing this testimonial? Because I can feel the grayness coming on these past few days, I logged onto the waverider's website in order to not feel alone. Indigo's repeated supportive reply's to others' posted comments are part of the reinforcement that helps put me back onto the path of riding the damn waves, rather than sinking under them. And I am so greatful for the ability to refresh my thought processes and remind myself of how to best handle the rising and falling tides in my life. "

Signed: A mom in DC who has benefitted significantly from the Waverider's information and philosophy.

From a discussion post
"...Wave Riders is the most facinating , life saving, positive, out of anything I have ever read on bi polar. May the Lord richly bless Indigo Irwin Kennedy, for being there for us. "
Corlene Thompson - Ontario, Canada

From a reader
"...I keep reading things over and over as I find comfort in it"
Sue, USA

From a reader
"... I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to know it's OK to be less intense. Since reading your book I have no more suicidal thoughts or cravings for cigarettes. Those thoughts came when
I was high as well as low....Again, reading your book put everything in perspective. I can't thank you enough..."
USA

From a reader
"We all want to change the things that don't work in our lives. Indigo Irwin Kennedy, in her book, The Wave Riders, tackles this problem by giving the reader user-friendly steps to be applied in the very moment they are needed. When I began reading the book, something prompted me to start reading it out loud. I continued, in this way, and found myself going through the entire book twice. Now, two months later, I catch myself unwittingly repeating the exact words of The Wave Riders to my family, friends, and clients. The book has worked its way into my life. You too will know you are inside the mind of a brilliant teacher. Just read the first page and see if you can put the book down! "
MIRIAM
Consultant/Teacher/Journalist

Dear Indigo
"I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED YOUR BOOK---IT IS SO FULL OF TRUTHS... i would like to order your book for my sister, ... also please autograph it and put in a little message from me....something like 'thought you should have your own copy....so worth the read from me)."
JB (Name confidential)