Living Balanced

Living Balanced is a faith-informed, practical guide for anyone navigating mental health challenges - and for the families, friends, and faith communities walking beside them. Larry Vanderpol has lived through the manic highs and crushing lows of bipolar disorder: misdiagnosis, hospitalization, stigma, and the long work of rebuilding. With his wife, Candie, he discovered that balance is not found in pretending everything is normal. It is built through faith, honesty, support, and daily choices.

This is not a clinical manual, and it is not a story told for sympathy. It is lived wisdom with practical application. Through three simple tools - the 4-6 Scale for recognizing emotional highs and lows, the Barometer Team for building trusted support, and the Seven F's (Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, Friends, Forgiveness, and Future) for daily stability - Larry and Candie offer a usable framework for moving from chaos toward clarity.

Whether you are struggling yourself, supporting someone you love, or leading a church or support group, this book carries one hopeful truth: living balanced is possible - not alone, not overnight, but possible.

This book shares personal experience and practical encouragement. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding mental health decisions, medication, or crisis support.