SURRENDER

  • As promised, here are some questions for reflection or journaling to help you get the first step from your head to your gut for real acceptance.
The first step of ADD is:  We admitted we were powerless over the effects of ADD--that our lives had become unmanageable.

(Reminder:  Please get at least one of these books.    The Twelve Steps A Key to Living with Attention Deficit Disorder, the workbook,  is currently available used on Amazon for 0.24. The Twelve Steps A Guide for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, the text is available used for $1,43,)


Questions:


1.  In what areas of your life do you feel most powerless?  We are used to trying to sneak in the back door when we can't get in the front, and other workarounds, but what areas are you most powerless over in terms of ADD?


2. In what areas have you felt you were most in control?  Were you locked into control determined not to ask for help no matter how frantic others perceived us?


3.  The idea that our lives are unmanageable is easier to understand and accept than the idea of being powerless.  We know how how unmanageable life is for us--that's why we look for for outside escapes and take medication.  We are painfully aware of not fitting in--of b eing different.  We're running out of reasons to blame others for the lost jobs, failed relationships, and broken dreams.  We are  beginning to recognize that the problems follow us and it's time for us to take some corrective measures and try some different tactics.


4.  What lost jobs, failed relationships, or broken dreams caused you to realize how unmanageable your life really is?  Explain.

5.  How does the unmanageability you feel affect your personal and business goals and relationships?

6.  ADD and the low self-esteem it causes keeps us from accomplishing our goals and interacting with others.  We lose confidence in ourselves and in our abilities, and end up with a stressful life that gives us little or no satisfaction.  The stress compounds our problems, intensifies our fears and insecurities, and creates a sense of panic.  Some of us depend on mood-altering substances such alcohol or drugs or food to relieve our tension and hide from the pain.  In more subtle ways, others of us bury ourselves in school activities, work, relationships, or addictive/compulsive behavior to help us focus and avoid boredom.  Our lives are full of unwelcome behaviors and overwhelming emotions.

How have you used mood-altering substances to self-medicate your ADD symptoms?

7.  Describe your feelings about your use of mood-altering substances or behaviors.

8.  Describe some of the ups and downs in your life that make you feel like you are on a roller-coaster ride.

9.  Two key factors cloud our vision of reality:  self-will with its self-reliance, and denial with its many tricks--blaming, minimizing, caretaking, etc.  When these factors are removed, we are able to recognize the truth about our lives and admit we need help.  In the same way that we sought medical or other professional help for our ADD symptoms, we now need to seek out spiritual direction.  Working Step One helps us find a spiritual key to living with ADD.

What has blocked you from seeing the reality of your life?

To be continued.  If you spend enough time and reflection on these, they are plenty.