It is so amazing how organizations are popping up all over the world helping us join forces to tackle mental health diseases.  I was privileged enough to speak in Athens, Greece a few years ago about iFred’s rebranding depression work, and learned from countries around the world just how important it is we work together to solve our greatest challenges.

I’ve just recently been asked to join their advisory board, and continue to be amazed and impressed by the work of all throughout the world.

It was celebrated across the U.S. when we were able to get mental health parity law passed.  I don’t by any means intend to minimize this work – but do we realize that what we accomplished was to treat the brain in a similar fashion to the heart, liver, and intestines?  Should we really have to fight that hard for that?  Those that were involved in the legislation understand the intense work, dedication, and challenge this simple piece of legislation involved – and unfortunately the rest of the world is so far behind us in many different ways.

Why is it that being called ‘crazy’ is so bothersome? It’s as if this one word cuts right to the core of our very being and makes us question our intrinsic worth. Yet what do we ADHDers do when someone calls us crazy?

We act crazy!

Crazy can mean all sorts of things; bizarre, fantastic, deranged, insane, or dangerous.  I, personally, am using it in regards to how we term ‘unpredictable’ behavior.  Often the word is thrown around, “You are acting crazy or that idea is crazy or did you take your crazy pills?!”  Something about it just sets me off.  People – call a spade a spade!  If I am acting in a way that scares you or seems out of character and unpredictable, tell me!

I want to be a good person.  As a matter of fact, I strive to be a great person, and have big dreams for making a significant contribution to this world.  Unfortunately, my attempt at perfection continues to catapult me from a world of despair to joy to despair again.

The list of ‘to do’s’ that us ADHDers have, and really anybody for that matter, is tremendous.  I mean, every day, I expect more than perfection and wonder why I feel so shitty.

Look at my list, who can do this?

I’m taking a class with SARK, Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy.  She insists that you can add joy and delight into everything you do in life.  EVERYTHING!

Her class seemed perfect for my ADHD, as it showed you how to get projects on track, take what she calls ‘micromovements’ towards completion of your goal, and score higher on total completion of dreams.  Plus, it was inexpensive and in this economy I am on a tight budget.

Let’s explore the concept that I at first found rather insane, but am now finding quite revolutionary.

Seriously.  Write to do lists, don’t check e-mails in the morning, take your meds, pay the bills on Friday, go to the gym every day, send love to all, don’t criticize…  blah blah blah.  That is how I feel some days, like it’s just….  too much!

Being an adult is hard work.  With foreclosures climbing, jobless rates higher, more bills to pay, everything costing more…  it sometimes gets a little too much to be responsible and good.  We get caught up in all of it and it’s completely overwhelming.  How do we get out of it?

Photo from Flickr, Country_Boy_Shane

I am not sure if those three words can be put in the same sentence. If anything triggers my ADHD, it is social networking. And then it leads me to question my sanity. At which time I look hard and find my sense of humor and get back down to earth and back to it.

I’m going to tell you about an amazing tool for social networking. Well, it is kind of amazing. It is still in testing but could make our lives a whole lot easier!

ADHD or no ADHD, if you have anything to do with social networking, know anything about it, or ever use it (which obviously you do because you are reading this blog), you may be able to relate. I happen to have a company and a nonprofit — for which I am both responsible for all of the ‘social’ networking (we are changing the definition of networking — it used to mean actually meeting people live and talking!).