Silence

Silence truly is golden.  Silence is also noisy.  Right know I'm alone and I can hear the heater forcing air through the ductwork, the refrigerator motor plus there is also a low hum going on in my ears.  But back to silence is golden.  I really treasure the moments I'm all alone with no one around to interrupt what I'm doing or expecting me to interact with them.  This is the time I can really unwind and relax.  Sleeping doesn't recharge me like it does for "normal" folk.
I really have to prepare myself to interact with others.  I frustrate my family because I don't respond as quickly as they think I should when they ask me a question.  People with ADD need to process their surroundings.  They are hypersensitive to stimulae and struggle to pay attention midst everything vying for their attention.  Add to that a brain that is on hyperdrive and sometimes connections can take a while to connect.  Living with someone with ADD requires patience, a premium quality in today's "gotta have it now" instant gratification society.
When I go to an event such as a family reunion or someone's birthday party I prepare myself and plan on extra time in bathrooms to pull myself back together so I can be social.  Don't get me wrong, I love interacting with people, but in groups they really intimidate me. Individually, people fascinate me.  I love to hear their stories of how they got to where they are.  I could spend hours getting to know some one.
Before I knew about ADD and that this is normal for me I used to think that I didn't like group functions because I believed that people were checking me out and criticizing me.  Really, I care that people like me but if they don't, THEY'RE the ones missing out, not me.
Also, I love singing in front of people so that theory was sort of off balance.  So the ADD reason fits me much better.  Hypersensitivity to sound, and other stimulae makes much more sense in my situation.   
Now do I want to get rid of the hypersensitivity?  NO!  It's what makes me, well, ME.  I really like myself.  I get my jokes, I enjoy who I am.  I like my own company.  I honestly believe that in order to bring anything to a relationship you have to be comfortable in your own skin.  I don't need my husband in my life, I WANT him in my life and wouldn't enjoy the adventure without him.

So Today I'm Grateful for:
1.  Silence
2.  Me
3.  People - they're fascinating.
4.  Alone time
5.  My Mom's dog sleeping on the couch and not demanding that I play with her...

Plus the everyday 7.

Till Tomorrow...