Mindfulness

[PartTimeBrewer]

              I am starting a new thread here mainly for purposes of my own catharsis. It is my intention, at least at this point, to make regular contributions. Of course, if anyone else has anything to add, they are more than welcome. If you have any input, please contribute.

              Over a year ago I decided to deal head-on with my self-diagnosed adult attention disorder, (ADD). The inability to stay focused was becoming too stressful. I found myself sitting around watching the clock tick, yet I couldn’t keep “on task” with any project I started. Nothing was getting done and just starting something was becoming depressing.

              The smart thing to do was probably to get professional help, so instead I decided to try to heal myself, at least as a first try. Cognitive therapy and pharmaceuticals (UGH) might be the approved way to go but I decided to try meditation first.

              18 months and countless self-help books later, I still can’t bring myself to a regular, formal meditation program. But, along the way, I discovered informal mindfulness. Yes, I know it is the “Fad” right now. It is hard to navigate modern social trends without “tripping over” somebody extolling the benefits of mindfulness.

              Let me add my voice to the chorus.

[PartTimeBrewer]

“Life is a dance. Mindfulness is witnessing that dance.” - Amit Ray

[Jozee]

I really like this one!

[PartTimeBrewer]

Thank you. That's one I need to keep in mind.

[officerripley]

I keep meaning to look into mindfulness. I think I'm maybe on the Autism/Asperger's spectrum (high-functioning end hopefully) and wonder sometimes if it could help. Hope this is not too off-topic but you mentioned fads: I keep hearing all the time here lately about how not only is exercise good for the body but it's also good for the mind, espec. the aging mind. I've find just the opposite to be true: I've found it harder & harder to concentrate on stuff the more physically active I am; it seems to be that I can't efficiently operate my mind and body at the same time, espec. financial stuff. So since I have more financial stuff to deal with--the worst is with my dear departed (in 2012!) mother's estate; found out that her estate most likely won't be settled in my lifetime--I'm sitting around more. I just can't seem to think straight unless I'm sitting quietly. Moving around just scatters my thoughts to the four winds.

Thanks for listening.

[PartTimeBrewer]

Kooner  got me believing that I was also on the spectrum, high end. My wife thinks I am hypochondriac about that and my ADD, but I still go around reading license plates and trying to see patterns in them. I haven't been any more successful about an exercise program than I have been about formal meditation, but I found that any physical labor that I perform around house or yard has been mentally relaxing and effective at stress reduction.

[Aggie]

I've found it harder & harder to concentrate on stuff since I retired to the farm about a year ago. I spend too much time watching Green Acres. I work a little in morning and late afternoon on the farm. Volunteer more in the community. I tire very quickly.

[PartTimeBrewer]

Green Acres the old TV sitcom? I really, really miss Green Acres. Arnold is my all time favorite TV character. And yeah, I need to learn how to pace myself better.

[Aggie]

Yes, I enjoy old reruns of Green Acres, Hogans Heros, Wagon Train and Rawhide.

[PartTimeBrewer]

[Aggie]

I have a bull like that.

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength."

 - Corrie ten Boom

[PartTimeBrewer]