Uniqueness of the Journey

As an additional step to The Force I made my first post to the "totally ADD" Community Forum.  I linked to this website (www.totallyadd.com) while searching for information on ADD/HD and decided to become a member.  I was excited to find that I found this site just in time to become a "Premium Member" (free for the first two months) as a part of a Premium Beta Tester program.  The fact that this program is experimental carries added weight to the importance of my participation (along with everyone else's).  Thus I am adding daily visits to this website community as part of my commitment to The Force.
I actually had the pleasure of seeing Rick, Ava, Patrick and Dr. Jain at the National CHADD Conference in Orlando, Florida in November of 2011.  I spoke with Ava after their presentation to thank her for bringing the perspective of the NON-ADHD SPOUSE to the table.  I am often pained that my husband has to endure my challenges as I work to find my way to a less chaotic and peaceful home environment for the two of us.  He has proven his commitment and love for me throughout our (almost) 33 years of marriage although there has been (especially in the past several years) suffering and a major challenge to his patience along the way.
When I find victory it will be as much to his credit as much as it is to mine.  Thank you, Sweetheart.

So without further ado...

UNIQUENESS of the JOURNEY ~

In keeping with my New Commitment (yes, ANOTHER one, but one I'm DETERMINED to keep!) I'd like to share a few insights from my personal journey.  I hope that what I have to share may be helpful in calming your heart and mind while giving you peace and confidence about this very personal experience.

 

1.  REMIND YOURSELF regularly that each INDIVIDUAL is UNIQUE.  While we are blessed to have one another to    share this journey, please remember that we MUST NOT COMPARE ourselves to anyone else in terms of 'SHOULD'.   Each LIFE is also UNIQUE, influenced by different factors that combine to present our PERSONAL CHALLENGES.   

 While we belong to the same "Family", no two experiences are exactly the same. 

 Just as I deal with one daughter in a way unique to her personality and needs it's necessary for me to interact with my youngest daughter in a very different way.  UNIQUE TEMPERAMENTS, STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES make for a unique EXPERIENCE.    

2.  While WE as a COMMUNITY are attempting to JOURNEY to the SAME "COUNTRY", our DESTINATIONS WITHIN that country may be VARIED. 

 As unique as each of us, so will our FINAL DESTINATION often be.  We can travel a good portion of this journey together but there may come a time when a particular TRAVELING COMPANION may say "good-bye" as they take a new direction.

 This doesn't mean the relationship had ended, it just means that our journey with that particular person has changed

3.  GET TO KNOW YOURSELF by being as SELF-AWARE as possible.  Take note (literally if necessary) when you have a new insight into yourself and the way you "work".

4.  TRUST YOU PERSONAL INSTINCT about whether a particular method is the right one for you.  I had a Life Coach many years ago who encouraged me (in so many words) not to try to force myself to be something that I'm not. 

There are many things that I would love to have the talent for, but...you can't force a square into a round hole.

5.  RECOGNIZE, EMBRACE and REMIND YOURSELF of your STRENGTHS while working to overcome your weaknesses.

6.   ACCEPT the FACT that YOU and ONLY YOU can make the changes necessary to CREATE the life you long to have. 

And as I end, please allow me to remind all of us that this can be a lengthy journey.  The road is often a winding one on which we meet success, delays and sometimes major roadblocks. 

But I sincerely believe that as a whole, we are a community of people who have so much to offer our world during out life time.  With the gifts and talents that I'm convinced we have, our ONLY FAILURE is to ABANDON the JOURNEY. 

My belief is that I owe it to MYSELF, my loved ones and my world to give my best shot at living up to my God-given potential. 

If you have taken the time to read my words then you have some desire to "find your way" and are taking steps to help yourself.  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and NEVER GIVE UP! 

As my dear Dad always reminded us, "Can't never could do nothing!"  You CAN do it!!!

Forcing the Issue

force

  [fawrs, fohrs] noun, verb, forced, forc·ing.

noun

1.

physical power or strength possessed by a living being: He used 

all his force in opening the window.

2.

strength or power exerted upon an object; physical coercion;

violence: to use force to open the window; to use force on a person.

3.

strength; energy; power; intensity: a personality of great force.

4.

power to influence, affect, or control; efficacious power: the force of circumstances; a force for law and order.

verb (used with object)

18.

to compel, constrain, or oblige (oneself or someone) to do

something: to force a suspect to confess.

19.

to drive or propel against resistance: He forced his way through 

the crowd. They forced air into his lungs.

20.

to bring about or effect by force.

21.

to bring about of necessity or as a necessary result: to force a 

smile.

22.

to put or impose (something or someone) forcibly on or upon a 

person: to force one's opinions on others.

Believe it or not, I chose to start with scrambled eggs.  Granted, it wasn't quite as challenging as some of the above definitions might imply, but it most definitely was a force of my will.  

Typically, beginning my day with careful consideration of what I put in my mouth to 'break the fast' isn't something that I give much thought to.  But it's time to use force to bring about the life changes that seem to elude me.  

I anticipate that forcing myself to think about my choices throughout the day will be exhausting.  Exhausting only because the choices I need to make are so different from my daily habits.  

But being that my brain , ADHD as it is, is the logical place to start...surely a healthy  dose of protein is the right way to begin.  I even threw in vitamins (for perimenopausal Women) for good measure.  As a wise and trusted Nutritionist and friend advised me, "Feed the Brain!".  

And so, The Force begins.  One day, one moment at a time.