As a self-described non-baseball enthusiast, I am more drawn to the history of the game…  To the history of one of the most profilic athletes to play major league baseball.  And again, more importantly, I care about story… legacy… greatness… and the idea of what someone represents.

Feeling a little sappy already this morning, I was saddened even more to learn of the passing of Edward Kennedy (the senior Senator from Massachusetts).  Not being much of an active political person – and yes I even live in the great commonwealth of Massachusetts – I am more drawn and saddened by his passing because of what he represents to this country.

For those of you don’t know…  Ted Kennedy was the younger brother to our past President John F. Kennedy (before my time), and Robert Kennedy.

Legacy…  Life… Greatness…

While sharing the news of Senator Kennedy’s passing with a friend, she remarked that he was a very polarizing individual in his politics.  I could sense there was something more to it.  BUT, my point of sharing his passing had nothing to do with his politics.  I was compelled to share simply because of what this man represented to so many people, and his legacy over several decades of growth and history in this country.

Growing up after JFK’s assassination, the Kennedy family represents an empire or royalty in the United States.  They are a family who has been followed and watched…  And yes, they even impacted history and the course of our society.

What Can You Learn From This?

While my friend saw his passing as a moment to comment on his political stance, I was more moved by the loss of a giant in our time.  Like the passing of Michael Jackson or any larger-than-life figure…  there are always people who will see things differently than you and I.

For me…  I have been moved by the greatness of figures like Ted Kennedy, Michael Jackson, and Babe Ruth.  I am looking at what they represented.  And most of the stories of their greatness – focus on what success they achieved in life.

Yes there are critics who take this opportunity to focus on the negatives.  There will always be critics in life.

Who do you choose to listen to?

And more importantly, who will you choose to listen to when it comes to living with ADHD?  Raising a child with ADHD?  Or in supporting a loved one with ADHD?

Will you focus on all they do wrong, or what they do well?

I actually agree with quite a bit of what is said here, and I want to go one step further.  Now first off, the author talks about how changing or challenging our bad habits upsets our equilibrium or the status quo.  We know, and this is me talking, that to truly change our habits, we must fall outside of our comfort zone.  Bottom line!

Now I suppose one could make the argument that this might be more difficult for someone with ADHD.  After all, it’s largely known that many who are diagnosed have a difficult time with transition or great change.  But that’s honestly neither here nor there at this moment.

It’s the idea!!

What gets me is that the author states “Adult ADHD as a self-description, not the clinical diagnosis,” can lead to rather good qualities…  Positive, strong qualities in fact!

Now, I don’t want to assume as to what she is referring to as the “self-description,” but I am guessing it is on the idea of everyone having a little ADHD some of the time.

Tangent aside, I think this makes a great point…  While ADHD certainly can present challenges in someone’s life, these characteristics, traits, or behaviors can also result in many great strengths!

Find The Positive

I truly believe that we can in fact find great positives in what we struggle with the most.  No matter what!  And it’s really all a mindset (and yes, some very powerful strategies or treatment in some cases).  But the famous artist Salvadore Dali is said to have struggled with Schizophrenia, and there are many who would suggest that some of our greatest innovators had ADHD (or would have met the criteria).

Those things don’t matter much to me.  Instead, what matters most to me is how we inspire people to dream big, play hard, and go after the impossible.

I’ve yet to meet someone diagnosed with ADHD who I have written off as incapable of accomplishing their goals.

Tell Us What You Think!

Have a different perspective? We love to hear from our readers. Let us know what you think about this post by leaving a comment below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE

While standing outside, a fellow groomsmen joined me, and we started talking about work.  We had been introduced to one another, earlier in the week, as professionals in the same field…  Both professionals supporting and striving to make a difference for people who have ADHD.

The long and short of this story is a remarkable difference in childhood that truly means nothing today in adulthood.

He was a self-reported “underachiever” who struggled to complete many tasks, and he had a hard time with a lot of different activities.

I was an “over-achiever” who completed tasks with ease, and without much stress, disappointment, or frustration (which really raises an entirely different set of challenges).

Yet, despite these differences, we stood as two men both with the same dream and mission.  We had different stories and challenges along the way, but yet we were both in the same position and of the same mind.  There we stood with success in our paths, and the common understanding that ADHD in our world has a bad name.

One cannot help but draw conclusions from this little story – but we took liberty with it as we discussed ADHD and the impact this label has upon children, adults, and families all over the world.

We both saw that ADHD has the potential of crushing dreams and holding people back, when in reality, a individual with ADHD is just as likely to be a success as the next person.

Just look at the two goof-balls who are the unlikely heroes of this story.   One is a former student who got in lots of trouble.  The other is a former student who had it pretty easy as a child.

Yet there both stood – on equal ground – supporting the same cause.

ADHD or not – don’t let anything or anyone stand in your way.  Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do.  Or at the very least, find ways to say “thank you,” and go about your business.

I don’t know about you, but I personally find nonsupporting comments as a challenge to prove people wrong.

Will you give your child that opportunity?  Will you help them shine in the face of criticism and a world of non-believers?

Now this might sound crass or offensive, but that is not the intent.

Actually, it is really just my way of saying “I understand who I am. I know what makes me different, and I know just what makes me tick.”

I suppose in some way this post today is in response to, or really more in celebration of a conversation I had last night with a dear friend and colleague who also just happens to be the President-Elect of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA).

My dear friend is convinced I have ADHD. And despite having never been diagnosed – even after having been evaluated and tested for ADHD – it sure would explain a lot.

And the reason I am sharing this with you today. I just got back from Men’s Warehouse, where I was fitted for a tuxedo. All I can say is: “Yuck, I have issues, and I totally despise trying on clothes.”

That’s why i have issues.

I found myself re-living experiences from childhood. They rage on into adulthood…

• I still find myself in-between shoe sizes.
• I like my shirts to fit a certain way
• The tuxedo jacket was either too small or too big
• And most of all – I hate making decisions.

I even told the gentleman taking my measurements that I really should have brought my wife with me. That’s right – I told him that I got married and don’t get to make decisions like these anymore.

I meant it in jest, and I meant it in reality. I HATE getting fitted for clothes – especially when it’s not the clothes I normally wear.

And honestly – let’s look at all the things I might have:

It could be ADHD.   Or maybe it’s sensory-integration disorder.  It certainly could be seen as a little bit of anxiety, maybe even toss in some insecurity and weight issues…

And of course – it really could be all of those things wrapped into one.

So why this rant today?

ADHD or not – I am who I am. I know what I need in life. I know what works for me, what to expect in situations that don’t, and I make sure that I put myself in more situations that work for me than in situations that don’t.

Forgive my rant (or enjoy it). I’ll get back to more tips, tactics, and strategies in my next post.

And in the meantime, if you find yourself just as confused as me or as so many other people are about what is ADHD, what is not ADHD, and all things in between – feel free to sign up to receive more tips (and apparent rants) like this right here!

We publish a weekly tips newsletter filled with strategies and information that can begin making a difference immediately.

Heck, you might even be one of the millions (if not billions) of people watching tomorrow night’s NFL Super Bowl extravaganza.

I know I will be glued to my television set tomorrow afternoon and evening. Living outside of Boston, I have a very strong interest in watching history as my local team strives for a “perfect record” (not perfection, but a perfect record).

On top of that, I absolutely have to watch the commercials. I live for Super Bowl commercials. It’s the one time of year advertisers compete like crazy to get your attention.

Reasons to watch the Super Bowl:

• Football
• Half-Time
• Commercials
• Watch History
• Family Time

You see – while millions and millions will be glued to their televisions tomorrow night, many of us will be doing it for different reasons.

• And the same is real for people struggling with ADHD:
• Inattention
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsive
• Bored
• Unorganized
• All Over The Place
• Strength
• Natural Cures

The above list takes the very same idea of who watches the Super Bowl, and why, with the hope to show you that ADHD means different things to many people.While we might all agree that ADHD affects the brain and how people are able to function, individuals with ADHD all experience their symptoms differently and might even go about managing them differently.

But the real lesson here is that you might see your ADHD differently than the next person.

And that’s ok!

PS – I mentioned something about a perfect record:

Oh yea – and let’s not forget that in tomorrow’s Super Bowl – the New England Patriots are pursuing a “perfect season.” Notice, they are not a perfect team – just good enough to be going for a perfect record.

The difference:

The perfect record is a result of fighting, working hard, determination, and persistence. They never gave up. But they did make mistakes!

For those of you who are avid followers and fans of the television show LOST, tonight marks the long-anticipated return of one of television’s most exciting shows.

While watching Wednesday’s repeat of the 3rd Season Finale – I was reminded of two very different approaches to viewing the mysteries of the Island!

Science Versus Faith

• Jack Versus Locke

Both men are noted leaders of the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 – and yet both could not be more different in how they lead others and inspire those who look up to them.

So what type of man or woman are you?

When it comes to ADHD – Do you follow science / medicine or do you believe in faith?

• Are you someone who believes that the answers lie in medicine?
• Or do you believe that there are other ways?
• Do you follow the research?
• Or are you more interested in reality?

It all started with the idea that there are many truths behind ADHD. It doesn’t matter whether you are a parent, spouse, partner, child, or sibling of someone who has ADHD – there is a great deal of misinformation.

The TRUTH Behind ADHD started with the idea that there is more to ADHD than just what is on the surface. Not only do we have to struggle with symptoms, consider treatment with medication, but we also have to consider every other area of life that is impacted by ADHD:

1. Relationships
2. Family
3. Work
4. School
5. Groups
6. Self-esteem
7. Media influence
8. Society
9. And much, much more…

The point is this – ADHD affects so much more than the individual person who is diagnosed with the disorder.

Heck – let’s not even call it a disorder. I downright hate that term. ADHD is a grouping of symptoms that can either help you or hurt you.

Help – learn how to manage and use your personal strengths to find success.

Hurt – use ADHD as an excuse and do nothing.

This all leads to the original “truth” I posted about when I started writing. The original truth relates to finding the root cause of our underlying problems.

ADHD is not it folks – there is always something more… Some other stress in our lives… Some other source of discomfort…

And we cannot forget those.

The “new” Truth is that you are surrounded by too much information about ADHD. You are provided with information that leaves you:

• Overwhelmed
• Confused
• Uncertain
• And possibly even misguided…Well, no more.

The Truth Behind ADHD will make sure you get the right information, from the right sources. And even then – we are going to question everything. ]]> http://thetruthbehindadhd.com/more-about-the-truth-behind-adhd/feed/ 0