End of life workshop

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Linda

I spent the best part of a Sunday afternoon in the company of other women, most of whom I had never met. We were the participants in a four-session workshop on "End of Life" issues.

Now I am not planning to "go out" any time soon. But as the year creep up, that looming specter call The End is becoming more and more real. I've given a lot of thought to what is coming and I've decided it probably feels like a gigantic roller coaster that goes up and up and up and up. You know the crest of the hill is coming but, as in Space Mountain, you can tell when it will happen. So you clench your teeth and brace yourself for the drop into ... what?

Just for the record, I hate roller coasters. So if you like them this analogy probably sounds 180 degrees from fear. And I'm not so sure it's really fear. It's just the inevitability of death. There, I said it. Death. Death Death death death death. Of my family, of my friends and of me.

Me. Not here on Earth. Now no matter what your religious or spiritual belief, whether you know there's an afterlife or whether you think life ends with the death of the body, you are a little curious about the actual process of dying. Right? We don't know what will happen. And we can't control it (unless euthanasia becomes legal). It will just happen.

I have a whole lot more to say on this black subject, but heck, it's a new year. No sense darkening the mood for too long. But I will say that I am privileged to be in the same room with these women. Their curiosity, inquiring minds and plain old courage make me proud to be a female. Our next meeting is in February. I'll check back with you then.

CHADD conference was a blast!

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Linda

Here in Orlando FL, there are zombie-like creatures wandering around Disney's Contemporary Village with badges askew that read "CHADD Conference." They wear the glazed look of ADHD folks who have been filled too full of information, who have talked to far too many wonderful people and bought far too many ADHD books. They are, in fact, me.

I was an exhibitor at this year's conference, something I haven't done since I launched the ADDiva Network at the 2007 CHADD conference in Washington, DC. Then, as now, I wasn't able to attend as many sessions as I wanted, nor did I chat with colleagues in the hallways. No, I was at Booth 213, right next to the food, and posters and ENERGY!!!

It was amazing to talk to women who discovered their ADHD at age 44, 57 or 69. And it was even better to look into their eyes and know that their light shines brightly because of and in spite of their ADHD. As busy as the conference was for me, as sweaty as I was dismantling that huge display (with the help of Janie, of course -- and an angel in disguise named Chris Kelly --- ah there is a special place in my heart for the both of YOU), as exhausted as I am at this moment, there is a settled place, almost smug, that is so satisfied, so "fed."

There is nothing like the energy of other people (1399 of them) who "get" ADHD. We are learning together. We are enchanted with each other. We are profoundly moved and enlightened by each others' stories. I'll share what I learned with you during an upcoming webinar. But for now, know that there is good work going on about ADHD. There were 4000 peer reviewed articles published this year alone. That's a lot of ADHD research! And we're still making progress, slowly, but with more and more momentum.

So, as I wax nostalgic about an event barely past, the words that come to mind are THANK YOU. Thank you to everyone who stopped at the ADDiva booth to share a laugh or pick up a calendar. Thanks to those of you who bought ADDiva tees and mugs and bumper stickers and books. Thanks to the presenters and organizers who brought the weekend to life. And thanks to all of you, even if you weren't here, I felt your energy as I tried my best to represent ADHD women. OK, I'm about done here. A nap might be a good idea. A nice dinner and early to bed. Then tomorrow? Harry Potter at Universal Studios!

Breakthrough in brain mapping?

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Linda

I just watched a replay of 60 Minutes from earlier tonight and I am blown away by the possibilities. A new way of mapping the brain's neural pathways? In full color? In high def? Incredible! The info on the brain scan is at the end of the story. Not that the iPad info isn't miraculous, but the brain scan/mapping is extraordinary for the ADHD community!

Watch it here, following the iPad autism piece, or it can be viewed offsite directly at CBS News (http://www NULL.cbsnews NULL.com/video/watch/?id=7363040n)

I have emailed this guy already. Hope he isn't inundated after the show!

Do you have “control issues?”

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Linda

I do. Off and on.

Back in the bad old days when I was seeing therapists right and left to figure out what was "wrong" with me, I was told repeatedly that I was "too controlling."

Well, I'm feeling pretty controlling right now, too. But it's all about feeling so OUT of control on the inside. And that's all about my ADHD.

Can we be honest, here? I don't like being "controlling." It takes a huge amount of energy. I constantly have to monitor what's going on outside so I can respond appropriately on the inside which then comes out for the world to see. Oooh. That didn't make sense, did it? Let me try again.

When something happens "out there," I don't trust my natural instincts for a response. My natural instincts have gotten me in a lot of trouble over the years. I've flashed back in anger. I've clouded up in pain. I've been a little too honest. The reaction from the "other side" to my honest reaction has been, shall we say, less than positive.

As I reported in my book ("Confessions of an ADDiva"), I learned to hide myself and my instinctive responses. Which took even more energy and focus I really didn't have.

The good news? Light at the end of the tunnel? Other cliches? I finally let myself breathe and be ME. I gradually stripped away the thick public personna I had layered to hide my inappropriate outbursts. I backpaddled through the inappropriate outbursts and faced the "triggering events" that elicited them. Even more impressive, I drilled through to my wounded soft underbelly that had endured the whips of criticism and self doubt.

And there, in the nicked and scabbed and bleeding underbelly, I began to love myself again (for the first time?). I realized that those wounds were real. They weren't silly or dismissive. They were real to me. And most important they weren't to be ignored. So I got out the iodine and mercurichome (now that really says something about my age...) and Neosporin and Wound Managmement BandAids and started healing those many cuts and scrapes and dents and injuries.

They aren't all gone, of course. Some are deep and need more care. And sometimes I revert to my old reactions, especially when I am under a lot of stress. Like now.

With Boomer's sudden death, ADHD Awareness Week, the ADDiva Retreat, family beach time, reservations for next year's retreat, webinars, the upcoming ADDA Board retreat, a new dog in the house, unpacking from being away for two weeks, the upcoming CHADD conference, publication of "Let's Fix It" for the conference, a new diet attempt, guilt over not exercising, a husband who is angry about a particularly vicious deposition next week and the guilt over not enjoying these glorious late fall days and nights...yeah, you could say I am a bit overstressed. And I think I have forgotten a bunch of things on the list.

So my "control issues" crept back in. Today, I pledge to revisit my original solution. Walk backwards through the control, through my overreaction, through my worry about what people think of me, through the pain of losing Boomer and a million other worries and back to myself. Me. Alone.

I will take a breath. I will take a walk. I will allow myself some solitude and some tears. I will write about it (starting here and now) and languish, doing nothing for a while. I need to rebuild my strength again. I need some time. Even when I am in a hurry. I need some time.

And then, maybe, just maybe, I will be loose and easy and feeling fine again.

Excuse me - OMG, I just realized that I missed a deadline for writing a story for a magazine. Breathe, Linda, breathe. It's OK.

ADDiva retreat Day 3

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Linda

The dolphins are jumping outside my window as the shrimp boat trolls the Atlantic. There are women chatting happily in the kitchen and the retreat is in full swing. What a glorious day to be alive and to be an ADDiva! On tap today -- guided visualization, massages, water yoga and dream boards! I love these retreats..and the women who appear magically in the space. Wow!

Yellow squash & procrastination

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Linda

Well, I planted my garden late (not entirely procrastination though, since I was finishing my book at the height of planting season). My squash and zucchini are late. But now that they are coming in, oh baby! I can hardly keep up.

Which is why I have bumpy, tough yellow squash.

Yuck-o.

I hate hate hate throwing all that good food away. So I decided to freeze some of it. Delved into the internet to find out if was acceptable in culinary circles. It wasn’t. So I am doing it anyway. The original ADDiva rebel, right?

So. I am sitting here peeling the tough yellow skin off my overripe squash and dreaming of how good it will taste to have them for Thanksgiving dinner. At least I hope so.

three weeks later…

I found this blog post in my "Drafts" folder and realized I had done it again – procrastinated. Or maybe this blog post is better titled "Interrupted."

Because that’s what happens a lot of times for me. I start something wonderful. Then something else interrupts it (and me). So, rather than offering solutions to procrastination, I will leave you with this question:

What interrupts you that masquarades as procrastination? And more importantly, is the interruption worth leaving your original ‘something wonderful?’

Scones for an ADDiva

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Linda

I am just about to put a small batch of homemade scones in the oven for a good friend and ADDiva MK who is convalescing from hip replacement surgery. She’s staying at GardenSpirit Guesthouse for a week or so until her doctor releases her fully (she was in rehab for a few weeks).

Always good to help another ADDiva …try it, you might like it. And send some ADDiva blessings to MK and her hip!

Hugs

LInda

F.ree Succeed with ADHD summit starts Monday!

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Linda

Great news for all of you! Twelve hours of interviews with world experts on ADHD next week and they are absolutely F.R.EE!

It’s the very first "Succeed with ADHD Web Summit" (http://tiny NULL.cc NULL.adhdsummit)and I am honored to be an invited speaker. I was even more humbled when I saw others on the speaker list included such ADHD luminaries as Kate Kelly (who wrote the book "You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Crazy, or Stupid?"), David Giwerc (founder of the ADHD Coaching Academy) and Nancy Ratey, MCC (author, coach and ADHD celeb).

It all starts MONDAY at noon; Just register and you can listen live to two interviews each day (one at noon, one at 9 pm Eastern time) and if you miss your favorite, you can listen to the recording afterwards, also for fr.e.e.

My session "Confessions of an ADDiva" will be live at noon on Thursday July 28th when I will talk about the success track for midlife women with ADHD.

Wanna attend? Just register…here’s the link

http://tiny.cc/adhdsummit

(I shortened it for simplicity’s sake). It has all the details. And if you miss a session, you can listen to the recording afterwards, too. No charge!

Can’t wait to hear from everyone– it’s gonna be a great summit. Hope you’ll join me (and Nancy and Kate and David and Carrie and Roland and….all the rest)

Hugs and ADDiva love

LInda

919-309-9300
here’s the link again

http://tiny.cc/adhdsummit

I’m in Amsterdam! Any ADDivas around?

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Linda

Landed in Amsterdam yesterday (with Victor who is working) and wondering if there are any ADDivas in the Netherlands (OK, it’s actually Nederlands in this part of the world).

Would love to connect if you’re available. I love ADDiva dining – ask anyone!

Here’s the view from our apartment window — right on the canal!

It’s DONE. I DID it! Finished the book!

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Linda

All those long worrisome nights are gone!

The sun shines brightly even when it’s raining!

And "Confessions of an ADDiva: Midlife in the non-linear lane" is DONE!
Yes, my dear ADDiva friends, I have finally finished my dream book and I think you will love it as much as I do.

I wrote it in simple ADDiva-friendly style — not too many words on a page, lots of illustrations by my good friend Wendy and TONS of information about living with ADD as a mid-life adult woman.

If you’re not quite "mid-life" yet, no worries – all the info applies to you, too. And if you ARE 40-or-better, you’ll appreciate the emphasis on the change of life and hormonal influences on ADD.

I am SO proud of myself. Yes, I am actually allowing myself to bask in the glow of completion – just like my postcard says (did you get that postcard yet? here’s the link to it so you can see it again Completion postcard (http://lindaroggli NULL.com/lrimg/cards/pc-completion NULL.jpg).

But wait! You don’t want a postcard? You want the BOOK??

Well, pre-order it RIGHT HERE! I am making final proofing corrections tomorrow and then it will be available to EVERYONE.

Here’s a little secret: I actually printed 25 copies before I did final corrections. They aren’t perfect – perfecting IMPERFECT to be frank (there is a spelling error and several formatting snafus) but if you want one of the first first first run books, drop me an email and I’ll autograph it for you – bargain price of only $16 (normal price is $19).

And the book will soon be on Kindle AND available as an audio book. Whew. I have been working my butt off (except that I have been sitting on my butt and now it needs a little exercise!).

Gotta run…recording the first five chapters today

Hugs and love

Linda