I was just thinking this morning about how quickly time passes and how the things I experienced a decade ago seem just like yesterday. And that got me thinking about how I perceive time and maybe other Adders have the same perception of time. This is a very, very deep thought and is a bit disturbing, so hold onto whatever you can if you’re going to read this article…
Time—time is the same for all of us. We can’t speed it up and we can’t slow it down, but how we perceive time, is not the same for all of us. Some of us dwell in the past, some of us can’t stop thinking about the future and some of us (mostly folks without ADD ADHD) keep their thoughts in the present. I think those who can keep their thoughts in the present, most of the time, live a longer life perceptionally speaking.
Paying attention to what is going on in present day may give a person the feeling they have lived through a fulfilling day, week, month or even year. We Adders rarely keep our minds in the present and are usually caught up in daydreaming, filling the void or being over active. With our minds always on the inner go, it is easy to pass up or not have the full exposure to true life experiences. Think about driving in your car somewhere and your mind wonders—when you have arrived at your destination and turn off the engine, you suddenly wonder how you got there, with very little recollection of the actual drive. That can be a typical day for an Adder.
When I meet old friends that I haven’t seen in a long time I am always shocked, sincerely shocked, at any changes in their appearance, especially the changes that indicate aging. It’s almost as if I don’t expect any changes to have taken place. I just saw the person yesterday, but really, it was ten years ago. I know it was ten years ago, but my mind doesn’t really slow down and tell me that right away. Most people, even non-Adder’s, have felt that from time to time, but for me it seems a bit extreme.
How about you? What is your perception of time? I would like to know if it’s just me or if all of us experience this?
~Bryan
