Chapter Summary (#9-12)
Continuing the chapter summary of Pills Don’t Teach Skills, here are chapters 9 through 12.
9. The Brain’s Capability – We dive into what the brain is capable of and the basics about the brain. With ADD, the challenge I faced was simply explained by stating certain circuits in my brain did not develop properly. Those circuits existed, they just needed to start firing. Once the circuits started to fire, my brain had the ability to learn, retain and get through this challenge. During a road trip with a friend to Seattle, I said to him that he was in control of all social decisions for the weekend away, I was in his hands. My thought was that this would force me into a place of experiencing new things, experiencing new senses, thoughts and emotions. Also, it would break that routine of repetition that I had fallen into. That decision was so important in my dealing with ADD. Something so simple, yet so moving. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
10. My Behaviour Changes - Offering a real overview of my personal growth and experience, I share much about what have I gained and the fruits of succès. To try and explain this could be a project far too large to take on. The ways my life has changed could probably not be accurately detailed on paper. I think it is impossible to put to paper, a deep emotional feeling that can only be experienced by myself, regarding my personal experiences. One homework exercise I started doing with Dr. Holly Prochnau was a way of measuring how I was doing, or progressing regarding topics such as what have I gained, life experience, knowledge of self, new people skills, happiness, a new and improved me, a more empathetic and sympathetic outlook, the ability to be a better father, boyfriend and husband in the future. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
11. Empathy and Sympathy - The ability for someone with ADD to truly know, understand and feel what empathy and sympathy is, was one of the biggest challenges I faced. Over the years I can recall reading the definition of empathy and sympathy in dictionaries and in theory, understanding it. However, understanding it and feeling it are two very different things. I recall many experiences, places and times when I thought that I knew what empathy and sympathy were. I saw someone who drove differently than I did, so I thought they were an idiot or couldn’t drive. I listened to my parents drive and meander through getting from point A-to-B with the navigation system in their vehicle. I experienced people in business that did things so differently from me, that I couldn’t believe they kept their job. In many of these circumstances, my ability to truly feel empathy and sympathy prevented me from understanding a situation and opening my mind to alternate ways of thinking, perceiving, and reacting. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
12. The Work Doesn’t Stop Here - If anyone stops growing or learning, that person is in big trouble. Whether you have ADD or not, one needs to continue to evolve and become a better person. As my ADD coach told me, “the work doesn’t stop”. I continue to work on me and think of this not only as a process that allows me to win the challenge against ADD, but also because I want to be a better person than I am. I’m happy with me, however I want to challenge myself and reap the rewards of life. In turn, I feel that will create better relationships with my children, family and friends. In continuing to work on me, I determined there were many things that I could do to grow and evolve. These include Setting Goals such as Artistic, Attitude, Career, Education, Family, Financial, Physical, Pleasure and Public Service. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.