"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is not one alive who is Youer than You."
The ADHD Mind is Creative and Visualizes Regularly
One of my favorite authors happens to be Dr. Seuss (quoted throughout). As a child I loved his stories, and as a young mother he was my go to when reading to my boys. I’m now a grandmother and his books continue to bring imaginations alive as I read his zany thoughts to my grandchildren. I hope I never out-grow Dr. Seuss.
One of the things that has always resonated with me was the vivid imagery brought to life through his words. He was creative and had the ability to see life as I do–through visualization. I have often wished I had an artistic flare, and I could draw for others what I see in my mind’s eye. I’m certain I could have drawn some very funny images over the years.
If someone suggests you were as cool as a cucumber in a difficult circumstance, do you see a funny looking vegetable being fanned from the heat of the sun?
What comes to your mind when impossible is described by when pigs fly?
What images do you conjure up when you are told you are barking up the wrong tree?
“Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of the telescope…and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”
ADHD Gifted
That is precisely what I have learned about myself and many others who come to see ADHD as a gift; we are creative, resourceful and whole. We do often see things from the wrong end of the telescope. At times, that’s what makes us feel like we are doing things backwards, or at least differently from everyone else. I don’t suppose I could conclude neurotypical brains are wired incorrectly, but I might suggest those ‘regular brains’ are missing out on a lot of fun along the way.
That’s not to say my literal brain has always been seen positively. When as a young child I told Mr. and Mrs. Little they weren’t small at all my parents were not laughing. Their instant glare made me well aware I had said something wrong, although at the time I wasn’t sure what. This and other similar experiences taught me to be more cautious with my expressions. Over time I learned to also be careful in revealing my emotions and feelings. It felt to me like there was a right and a wrong way for such communications and I was never quite certain whether I was safe or not. Neither could I risk embarrassment to myself or my parents.
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out.”
These many decades later I’ve learned my feelings are not so different from others. We all have emotions and feelings we’d like to express that are sometimes coupled with doubts about being judged inappropriately. Such fears cause us to retreat into a shell of protectiveness. We find ourselves effectively paralyzed, or at least hobbled in our ability to take risks and move towards goals we’d like to achieve.
“I’m afraid sometimes you’ll play lonely games too, games you can’t win because you’ll play against you.”
Understanding My ADHD Brain
Strange as it may seem, becoming aware of ADHD in my own life has changed my perspective for the good. Understanding how my brain works has enabled me to get out of my own way and take risks I never thought possible. I can face my fears, overcome obstacles like everyone else–through trial and error. Furthermore, with the use of my own originality, creativity, intuitiveness, passion, compassion and love I can accomplish--and even make a difference in life.
Dr. Seuss was rejected by 27 publishers before his first book, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberrry Street was published. I imagine he was frustrated along the way, but he persisted. He is one of my heroes and because my brain works somewhat like his, I’ve come to feel he may well have been ADHD himself. Whether he was or not is not important; he loved who he was, and I’ve learned to love myself as well!
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.”
ADHD Self-Awareness
To me those are words of an amazingly beautiful mind. My own brain by comparison may not produce hundreds of popular books, but at least the similarity has me seeing life as magical place, with thrills and excitement along the way—an ADHD life that is anything but boring!
