Yesterday was my Birthday. I’m 59 years old. There, I’ve said it. I rarely disclose my age because, well…because part me can’t believe I’m no longer the 18-year-old idealistic hippy that wore bright yellow bell bottoms and marched against the Vietnam War all those years ago.
Today, I am looking at leaving middle age soon and entering what they call the “autumn of life”, which I think is the (Norman) Rockwellian way of saying I’ll soon be old as dirt. According to Wikipedia,“Most developed world countries have accepted the chronological age of 65 years as a definition of ‘elderly’ or older person.” Ok, so I’m not *quite* there. Yet.
I tend to think of Birthdays the way others see New Year’s- a time to reflect on my life and to think about where I’ve been and where I’m going. Now, before I get too sappy for all of you, let me share that I am generally a happy person. I’ve worked on my ADHD for well over 15 years and have come to that place where I’m comfortable with it. That’s not to say that I don’t get de-railed from it; I do. But I no longer define myself as a person with deficits; rather, I’m a woman who happens to have ADD. I have ADD; I am not an ADDer.
Every day brings its own ADD related challenges:
- What should I make for dinner tonight? Or these days, what should I pick UP for dinner tonight?
- When will I get to that annoying pile of papers?
- How long will it take to fall asleep tonight?
- Why can’t I just pick up the phone and call my childhood friend and make a lunch date?
- Will I ever be able to wear high heels?
- What IS her name? She’s my next-door neighbor, for goodness sakes!
…and the list goes on.
If you read my last newsletter, you would have learned some things about me you probably never knew. I shared my private foibles along with my talents and strengths, hoping that you, too, would focus on what you do well, instead of hyper focusing on your challenges. Yes, I trip over words and memory lapses. I can’t organize things too easily. I procrastinate better than most. But…I also do other things quite well. And so do you.
That idealistic 18 year old is still alive and kicking- the dark haired Bohemian who believed that everyone could make this a better world by doing their little bit in whatever way that works best for them.
So today, in honor of my birthday, I’d like to ask that all of you post one thing you are proud of- one thing you do well, whether it’s creating something, making people laugh, baking, being a good friend- something that makes you feel good about yourself- and post it in my FORUM. Let’s remember that we are people, first: people who just happen to have an ADD brain.
Just 59 years young? Perhaps you are still that “18-year-old idealistic hippy that wore bright yellow bell bottoms” on the inside…
Happy birthday!
Brock- I think you’re right. I’ll never changed my idealistic nature or stop fighting for change. : )
Thanks for the B/day wishes!
People trust me and come to me with their innermost concerns. I don’t get any money for it. I just seem to attract trust…and paper piles.;)
Wow! How ADD. I just realized you wanted us to go to FORUM to comment. Oh, well. I’m sure you understand better than most. See you there.
Janet, no worries- I understand and am glad to see your comment here. Feel free to post it in the forum, too. Unless you already did. : D
Terry: It’s those “why can’t you” and “should’s and “oughts” that drive me/us crazy! As Maharishi said and the Doors repeated and wrote in their song, “Take it easy baby, take it as it comes.” (Robby Kreiger and Gary Dennismore did the 1st TM poster at S. Cal. It was a brain with an electrical plug snaking out of it saying: “Your mind is an energy sources. Lecture by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in lecture hall XXX and date.”
Glen, you always have the greatest stories to back up your comments- thanks! xox
I guess I’m the world’s BEST at making lemonaide – you know, the kind people say you need to make when life hands you lemons? (not to be confused with resiliant – I’d have to skip the up-front kicking and complaining to claim any tincture of that trait.
But I AM pretty much the quintessential come-back kid – eventually.
Deep breath – ok, how can I do it WITHOUT that? seems to be my middle name.
Happy Belated b’day, lady – I can’t remember how to log in (or if I ever signed in to the forum in the FIRST place) – so this is how I did this without THAT.
xx,
mgh
Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, CMC, SCAC, MCC – (blogging at ADDandSoMuchMore and ADDerWorld – dot com!)
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
Terry, I can sooo relate, as I’ll turn 59 in July! One gift I’m proud of, and one I believe we have in common… is knowing how to use humor to deal with many of life’s challenges! I just read your blog on choosing clothes for your daughter’s wedding. Your knack for sharing your life lessons through humor is so refreshing! Thank you!
Terry, I can so relate, as I’ll turn 59 in July! One thing I’m proud of is my ability to view many of life’s little challenges through the lens of humor & using that view in coaching my clients with ADD. I believe we share this ability and dare say, it keeps us younger at heart than our 59 years! Loved your blog on clothes shopping at Chico’s!
LOL! So how funny is that? I somehow posted twice because it seemed the first one didn’t go through…and I do not have ADD…proof positive, we all mess up in little ways all the time! Laughing and moving on!
Hi Regina,
Too funny! I see your posts here- do you? Thanks for your note(s)! You do have to keep a sense of humor to get through life’s craziness, ADD or not!