I mentioned on World Health Day that I’d like to share a few personal sources of faith and inspiration that have helped sustain me as I’ve learned to manage and live with ADHD.

Specialists agree that treating ADHD with a variety of approaches, including medication, exercise, coaching, and others, is the best way to manage ADHD symptoms.  I’d like to add attending to your spiritual / inner life as an important component in treating ADHD in a holistic way, addressing mind, body, and spirit.

I’m hoping that sharing some of my sources for inspiration and faith will help you think about yours. You might even want to expand your repertoire of resources to turn to for spiritual succor.

What’s in a name?

One source of inspiration I’ve been using since I was 18, is my name. Not the one you’re thinking of; my birth name. As you know, I was adopted. I only learned the name “Diana,” the name on my original birth certificate, when I was 18.

Being a literary type, I knew that in Roman mythology, Diana was the Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt. She lived deep in the woods, in harmony with all of nature. She was the Goddess of wild and domestic animals. Her hounds were her steadfast and loyal companions. Wild deer revered her and gave themselves willingly as she hunted in respect and reverence of nature.

Keeping your eye on the target

The Goddess Diana was an excellent hunter and archer. One of the most positive things my adoptive mom said to me was, “Once you decide to do something, you do it.”  For a distracted, scattered ADHD girl, this was pretty special. And she was right. What I didn’t know then, but know now, is that to accomplish my goals, I had to pick my target, and hyperfocus until the deed was done.

Just like Diana (or Artemis, as she’s known in Greek mythology) I could focus for hours as I single-pointedly pursued my goal. Since my ADHD diagnosis, this ability to aim for the bulls-eye, and hit my target, has become even more precious to me. Keeping my visualization of my namesake Goddess helps me to remember that I can do it.

Zoë and Samantha

I can do it in spite of ADHD pitfalls

I can pursue my goals and win. I can get there without getting lost in the forest! And I have my beautiful Samantha (my dog) and all of nature there to nurture my soul and take me deep into the dark recesses of creativity. I can do this alone, and I can succeed. Daily walks in the woods have always replenished my spirit.

A natural woman

As Goddess of the Moon, Diana symbolizes the strength of woman. Not just any woman: a woman sure of herself in solitary pursuits; a woman who can take care of herself; a woman who is physically strong and self-assured, and who lives a natural, authentic life.

I resonate with the idea of Diana’s attunement to nature, her unburnished existence in a natural setting, and her love of the outdoors and physical activity. These are all qualities that inspire my life, and Diana’s image reminds me that it’s ok to be an unconventional woman, pursing my own goals perhaps at the expense of more “civilized” mores and expectations. (see Zoë’s Pet Peeves: Eyebrow Plucking and ADHD)

A natural rhythm

Diana, as Goddess of the Moon, calls to mind the waxing and waning of everyday events, the ebb and flow of the tides. Just as the tides ebb and flow, life brings natural rhythms, joys followed by sorrows followed by joy…

In living with ADHD, I have my triumphs and my disappointments. The symbolism of Diana reminds me that ups and downs are just part of life, and that I can take them in stride, not clinging to disappointments nor getting manic about victories. I can strive for a natural, gentle flow of emotion and events, and keep on an even emotional keel rather than letting life bump my emotions too far up or down.

In calling forth the imagery of the Moon and the tides; in having a reverence for nature and aspiring to the ability to live in harmony with all Creation, I can let myself flow effortlessly along with nature’s heartbeat.

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    Last reviewed: 12 Oct 2011