Heart Leader

I have ADD.  I was diagnosed with ADD in elementary school by my pediatrician after my behavior at home and at school got so bad my teachers and my parents couldn’t take anymore.  It was the early 1970’s and the science and the data from years of studies regarding ADD wasn’t what it is today.  There were a lot of questions and very few answers. The answer that worked best for me was taking the prescription drug Ritalin from elementary school through high school.  The drugs enabled me to concentrate on my school work and my social behavior became more acceptable.  ADD was and continues to be a daily struggle to focus and concentrate.  I still have a hard time focusing and I have to work hard to listen to what I am being told.  I also have to concentrate very hard on what I am reading.  Learning with ADD is a challenge but a challenge that can be overcome or at least mitigated.

The greatest ally for me has been the concept of social awareness.  Being aware of what I say and do and how it effects other people has helped me to neutralize my outward behavior and gain a greater awareness and grace for those who suffer with ADD as I do.  There are a lot of positives that have come from my life with ADD.  I understand what ADD afflicted people are thinking and feeling and that enters me into a club.  The club is an opportunity for me to help others and ask others for help.  Just like people with any other affliction, we need understanding people around us who suffer the same ills we do.

There are also a lot of valuable lessons I have leaned from life with ADD.  One of the lessons is to try and restrict my judgement on other peoples outward behavior.  Their behavior may be a result of illness and not intention.  Another lesson is to listen to people’s story and learn about their life in hopes of connecting.  Connecting and understanding one another’s “story” allows us to relate on a deeper and more meaningful level.

Action Plan: We all suffer from some deficiency or another.  The action plan this week is simple.  Be empathetic and aware of other people and what they may be facing.  Try to judge less and love more.

Thank you for reading my blog.

If you like what you read, please ask your friends and family to log on to http://www.heartleader.com and encourage them to sign up for my free weekly blog.

You can learn more about me on my web site at http://www.darylwizelman.com

My book, Heart Leader, can be purchased by clicking the link below.

http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/02877.htm

Daryl