As my Bishop likes to say, "Catholics aren't good listeners." And he's right. Our minds wander while in prayer, at Mass, and especially during the homily. Theresa advises that one close their eyes to worldly things and distractions so they can better focus on God. She also talks about having the image of Jesus in your mind as if you were two normal people having a conversation. Now I don't know about her, but to me Jesus is anything but a "normal person".
These two simple acts have greatly helped my sense of focus during prayer and while in church. My understanding of the rituals and words have opened up greater depths of appreciation and love during Mass. It makes it seem less like a chore and more like a piece of art that unfolds in new and unique ways to express our love for God. In prayer I have grown closer to Jesus as he sits patiently listening to me pour out my soul to him. At times I curl in his lap like a young daughter who needs comfort and other times I look upon him from afar in awe of his greatness. I am grateful for St. Theresa's beautiful testament and instruction.
Lord,
Give me focus
in my thoughts
and in my actions
Curb my tongue
from impulsive words
Stay my hand
from impulsive deeds
Fill my heart
with patience
Let all that I do
be a glory to your name
Amen.
Wouldn't ADHD/ADD fall under the patronageif St Dymphna?
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with St. Dymphna so I had to look her up. Since she is the patron Saint of mental illness, ADHD/ADD would fall under her patronage. I don't think it hurts to have more than one Saint that you can turn to for help, though.
ReplyDeleteADD/ADHD isn't, strictly speaking, a mental illness.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have learned and understand about ADHD. Is that is suffered differently among people; some experience symptoms worse than others. The sad part about this neurological disorder is that if it is not addressed with therapy, through education or medication while they are young and when they grow to adults its very hard to assimilate towards society expectations and many fall into low self esteem, depression, eventually drug addiction etc. and will not realize why there life is so hard.
ReplyDeleteI like that there is a patron saint of A.D.D. who has the same name as me.
ReplyDeleteI like that there is a patron saint of A.D.D. who has the same name as me.
ReplyDeleteIt is neurological, which I think would keep it in that
ReplyDeletebrain category. Most people don't understand that many of the people with which we are overly strict, are trying but are unable to stand up to the demands of society which causes depression and anxiety which is a mental illness and therefore doubles down on their need for an intercessor.
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DeleteAdhd is not an illness but acts as an lowered function in society. This is The offisil position of medial expertis today. Yes it is neurologi al but not a deceese but a variation that is normal and have exceptionally positive function in human development. It is also paired with specific genes. People with these genes function better in some sircumstances and worse in others. Our Western society expect People to behave and function in a very unnatural way, for examples sittning still for most of The Day listning to something you dont need for yhe moment (school). In This situation someone with adhd have low function. But IF there is more action and alarm, even a catastrophy or just nesessity to find new solutions to new problems every day, someone with adhd will often function better than average. Therefor we are great firefighters, entrepeneurs, police, inventors, explorers, etc. A women with Adhd that works as chief doctor at the acute surgery in Carolinska hospital in Stockholm expresed it thus: "The more seriously injured the patiant is, The better I become at my work" person with adhd is one that can operate a hospital or a symphonia Orchestra with perfektion but still Will never remember where he or she put The car Keys. It is lso The person that Will forget your birthdy but Will be able to plan and throw together a fantastic party that overwealms you in just 20 minuters.
ReplyDeleteADHD is not an illness. It is a personal trait that is experienced as a dysfunktion in Our society