THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Thought Adjuster: “Humankind displays many of the symptoms associated with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which have to do with memory, distractions, focus, restlessness, forgetfulness, following through, and organizing.

The Digital Age and the acceleration of the pace of living through faster means of transportation greatly exacerbated these conditions. Two significant adverse side-effects of these otherwise positive technologic advancements are the substitution of your down-to-earth reality for an ‘ungrounded’ virtual one, as well as contributing to deprive you of the enjoyment of ‘present mindfulness,’ as you became very adept at multitasking on an external level, thus developing an acute ‘Avoidance Syndrome’ toward your actual whereabouts in time and space.

To efficiently address such a potentially debilitating condition, you need to put the brakes on and take the time to smell the roses. However, a sudden downshift from the top gear to neutral can be hazardous. A decompression period is by far preferable. The Practice of Stillness acts like such a therapeutic decompression chamber.

You may fidget at first, just as a recovering addict goes through an initial awkward sensory deprivation phase, having to purge his organism from all the accumulated toxins to which he became addicted. What matters is that you hold the course once you have set an unwavering intention to get well on the inside.

Those determined to quit smoking use nicotine patches to take the edge off their initial withdrawal symptoms. Why not play some soothing background music before accessing your ‘decompression chamber’? You could also practice calming modalities such as yoga, Tai Chi, or deep breathing to release muscular tensions, thus setting the stage for a rewarding Stillness Time.

Many quit before giving it a try, declaring they are too restless to do it, while they are too restless BECAUSE they have not done it. Overriding such poor objections will be a transformative turning point, strengthening them in their resolve to persevere. Take My word for it: Over time, you will dive straight into the rejuvenating Stillness, as your restlessness subsides. You will look forward to this quality time, the ever-accessible portal to your inner peace. Aren’t you recharged energetically when you spend time with a dear friend, while superficial relationships deplete your precious, energetic quota? As the saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding.”