My husband is one of the true, all-around good guys, and I’m extremely grateful we get along so well and have done so for so many years. He does, however, have one serious character flaw and I’m reminded of it all too frequently–he’s a diehard fan of country music. If I don’t want to hear, Prop Me Up By the Jukebox When I Die, lame excuses from a country hick crooning I’m Still a Guy, or the one that really drives me absolutely crazy, I Like My Women a Little on the Trashy Side, I have to disappear into a far corner of the house in order to avoid the sound of his crazy music.
Although I don’t necessarily care for his music, I have to confess at times the lyrics make me laugh. I guess those that call themselves country don’t mind poking a little fun at themselves. Why else would someone sing:
We got pink flamingos in the front yard Picture window with a view of Walmart Blue collar heaven, domestic bliss It just doesn’t get better than this
That certainly doesn’t fit my image of ‘domestic bliss,’ but it does make me chuckle when I think it just might be regularly included in someone else’s world. I suspect, however, that most of the weird things outlined are simple embellishments of what might be part of a country lifestyle. Jeff Foxworthy, the famous country comedian, made a living for himself doing the exact same thing. Perhaps you remember his memorable definitions of what it took to be labeled a redneck.
You might be a redneck if:
You own more than three shirts with cutoff sleeves…
You have a rag for a gas cap…
You had to remove a toothpick for wedding pictures…
You were shooting pool when your kids were born…
In reading this I hope my husband doesn’t think he’s made a convert out of me, but perhaps it’s not such a bad thing for all of us to look at our own lives similarly. If we can’t laugh at life’s ups and downs then maybe we are taking things too seriously.
As I’ve mentioned to you before, discovery of ADHD in my own life was met with disappointment, but time has a way of healing most things and I’ve come to terms with the challenges the acronym causes in my life. So as I reflect upon those who might come my way wondering if they too, might be dealing with an ADHD life, I thought I’d mimic Jeff Foxworthy approach (through the lens of my own life) and suggest:
You might be ADHD if:
You’re always late—and catching up qualifies as exercise…
Clutter is your signature design style…
You often lose things: keys, glasses, cell phones—and the tracker you bought to keep track of them…
You make careless mistakes and have a hard time paving attention to detail…
Your leg fidget is seen so frequently it is given a name...
Yesterday’s unfinished tasks leave no room on the page for today’s list...
You ask someone their name, but are inattentive to their response...
You are easily distracted from the teacher’s lecture by the clouds forming the teacher’s face in the sky...
Concentrating on your reading assignment proves impossible, but hyperfocus on your romance novel comes naturally…
Your impulsivity causes you to answer a question before it is asked…
ADHD Diagnosis
If you share many of these same characteristics with me–or a stranger lets you know the blouse you are wearing is inside-out, you might consider obtaining a proper diagnosis by a physician or licensed therapist. It helps to understand why it is when it is expected that everyone remain seated, you have this intense desire to crawl out of your skin and exit the building—and other puzzling behaviors.
In time I hope you will also be able to smile at the things we do or the way we think. It’s not a matter of changing who we are; rather, it’s learning that we do have talents and abilities—in fact we are uniquely qualified for many things not necessarily natural to others.
But, to hijack a line from my husband’s favorite country singer, Brad Paisley:
You’re probably thinking that you’re going to change me In some ways well maybe you might Scrub me down, dress me up all but no matter what Remember I’m still [ADHD]
