This week’s passing has been fast, awe-inspiring, and mentally enriching to the degree that I almost don’t have the words to describe.

Indeed, Old School rules here.

No matter time and place, the issue or challenge, or the situation, I am surrounded by good people. As of today alone, I met with a newfound friend who, besides making delicious pickled beets for us, has taken a tiny kitten, left screaming by its wild mother, into her loving care.

Yesterday, my husband and I met with other good friends whose house we cleaned Thursday, because these people always care more for others than themselves.

And throughout the week, there has been plenty of times of various length where we have thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of true friendship.

All are ruled by simple yet inquestionable rules of behavior that are much needed in today’s crazy world.

You get what you see and what you hear. You are brutally honest. And you know by heart how to behave in the company of rare good people.

Old School; a word is a word, mutual respect and helpfulness are a must, and time to ourselves is necessary from time to time, too.

I am happy and content with my life in the present moment. Yesterday is only a memory now, and tomorrow is not granted in advance.

Living after Old School rules isn’t always a joyride in modern society. I got my new bank card the other day, and I expect nothing but trouble, as it the did last year. It is an unsolvable riddle to me why it is necessary to get a new one and go through the same dull procedure every year.

So, I wait a little longer to activate the darn thing, it is still Summer, and I intend to enjoy every split second of it, new bank card or not.

But working voluntarily with people with physical and mental handicaps like myself is a major mood-lifting experience.

Here, Old School rules bring you further than theoretical ideas from a snobby desk far, far away from people’s reality in the everyday.

It is like two worlds meet, and for once, at least for a while, the best of them wins the game of treating people like you want to be treated.

I have known for many years that I prefer one world to the other. This is because, in my kind of world, people are capable of thinking for themselves, behaving themselves, and working together.

Sadly, the other world seems to be allowed to dominate, especially in these odd years that change everything we believe we know.

Today, my ever-changing mood is set for the lower points, however much I fight back every inch of the way.

Somehow, I can control at least some overwhelming feelings of sadness, depression, and wanting to cry about anything and nothing simultaneously.

So, it ain’t so bad being me today; however much energy my bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders drain out of me.

Old School rules here, and throughout my life, this means that whatever happens, you’ll have to get up early in the morning and do what it takes to get through the day.

Now, I appreciate early mornings, preferring them rather than late morning and afternoon, when my internal and perpetual restlessness feels worst for the time being.

In the evenings, however, I can still not manage to get to bed earlier than relatively late. I have been a night owl for too many years to forget the joys of working through the night.

Today has been no exception to that.

Therefore, I need a late afternoon nap, preferably about an hour, to obtain my optimal amount of sleep.

But I, on the other hand, have the right setting for such a way of life.

And my voluntary work won’t change that. I can no longer work full time, and my ambition rests at ten hours weekly.

A critical Old School rule was once to be wise and maintain healthy boundaries toward other people. It has always been a difficult task for me, and it has only become a healthy habit in recent years, where I have grown as a human being, writer, and witch.

Now, it is not a problem saying no to someone or something. We all need time alone to reload our batteries.

Next week is pretty busy already before it has begun.

Tomorrow, I need to fold the laundry and order my prescription medicine before it is time for yet another ladies’ luncheon.

I meet with my counselor on Tuesday and will be introduced at another social house. Wednesday, it is my weekly voluntary work day. And Thursday, it will be time to participate in a major party with hog roast and many, many people.

Friday is my day off from everything and everybody in the outside world. I will probably sleep a lot, but I also plan to be at least a little creative with the much that I have.

Saturday, we are invited on a car trip to a particular place, where the late mother’s ashes of one of our dear friends were released a couple of years ago.

Leftover is then Sunday, my writing day.

So, you see, from my point of view, there is more than plenty to do here.

Being busy with something always is a must when living with bipolar disorder. The brain is always at work, but sometimes it is best to let go of all the thought streams that are impossible to control anyway.

That I will do right after the writing for today is over. And the best way for me to do that is right on the couch.

May your week be blessed with meetings with good people, may the world of good peacefully conquer the world of eternal strife, and may my weeks keep up the Old School rules forever.

As we all will it, so mote it be.

Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.