Daily Tip: Keep your eyes wide open for the Jaysters in the road!

Today a young woman jaywalked in front of my truck as I was driving along the main state Highway 14 West with my two dogs, Cole and Pixie in the back of the truck..  This was a total "Jayster" who deserves a (PTC) Pedestrian Traffic Citation!  (I call them Jaysters, and not Jay birds.  Most Jay birds, of the avian variety, know better than to walk blindly in front of a truck.) Anyway this chick was  wearing "road" colors (bland, non-descript clothes) and she walked into my path. 
Also, it was rush hour and I was travelling in the direction of the late afternoon sun at 35 mph.  I barely saw this jaywalker up ahead and I was shocked to think I nearly ran her down, but I slowed down as fast as I could and my heart jumped, and the dogs and I lurched forward in surprise! 
You know what?  To be honest, I don't even think she was aware of my presence heading toward her in my 2 ton pick-up, nor did she notice me slow my truck down as we passed her clambering on to the median.   I wondered how she was so cool, and why she was so nuts?
She didn't seem to care about anyone but herself as she jaywalked in front of my pickup.
As I travelled the speed limit of 35 miles an hour, with the sun on my visor and everything, I didn't even notice her on the middle of the road, until I almost drove over her, and she didn't even glance up!
There is a median on Broadway St. (Highway 14W) and while I realized she was heading for it, I realized I was heading for her.  I would testify that I didn't even see her look both ways to make sure she could make it across. 
Was she tempting fate?  I don't know, but for myself, and my sketchy attention-span, that woman was very fortunate she did not get run-over by me.  I guess I am also fortunate I saw her, and slowed down.  Thank goodness the driver behind me kept a space cushion!
After my citation a couple of weeks ago, I have been very vigilant on the roads. 
I paid my fine today, and from here on out I NEED to maintain my driver's license and driving privileges by driving very carefully.   No more answering my cell phone without pulling over safely first.
I must do all I can to contine driving my vehicle.   I so desperately need wheels out in this area I live in that is, rural Minneosta.  I have been venturing to drive safely every moment I am on the road. 
What I DON'T NEED on my driving record is some butthead pedestrian making me guilty of involuntary womanslaughter!
Who do these jaysters think they are?  There is a cross walk at nearly every intersection.  Some even with lights.  I wish I could tell that idiot jaywalker these words:
"Go to the light stupid!  The red hand means STOP.  The white-lighted man who looks like he is walking means you CAN walk.  The rest, means LOOK OUT!
Don't just walk in front of rush hour traffic anywhere you please if you value your life and the life of others.  Not everyone on the road is thinking about you!"
As for everyone else:
Please! please!  please! watch out on the roads for the jaysters and the idiots who walk in front of you in traffic.  Please don't jaywalk either.  No need to cause untold injury to yourself or others.
Plus, the animals won't be left wondering what's going on!
Peace,
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Mind your "Hidden Brain." Take back controls.

Thanks to my friend Mary Peichel for alerting me to this interview.
You may like to hear this NPR interview.  The Hidden Brain,
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122864641
Have a great week.
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: You are ahead with a helmet!

My husband works as an ER doc.  Goes to work most nights on his Harley.  Always wears his helmet.

If you live in a place where there is a helmet law, you are most fortunate.  Here in Minnesota you don't have to wear a helmet.  But, you would be much safer if you did.  Statistics show that when a motorcycle is in a crash the likelihood of a head injury is greater than in a car.

Be safe always wear your helmet if you ride, or even if you are a passenger.

Biking, inline skating and ski-ing are also activities where a helmet can protect you.

You are ahead with a helmet!

Peace,

Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Smiles are contagious, and so are frowns. Keep your head high, not facing the ground~Amy Zents

Frownlines seem to mar pretty foreheads because when others frown, our tendancy is to mirror their expression.
Poor posture is also a prevalant bad habit among most people who do not make a conscious effort to stand up straight and look confident and self-assured.
Your posture and your expression are linked to your overall mood and the image you project to others.
While some may want to clobber the perpetual Pollyanna, being cheerful is good for your mind and your body.
To exhibit poise and confidence practice sitting and standing straight.
Catch yourself if you feel a frown coming on.  You may be worried or sad, or heading in that direction.  Try and nip the bad mood in the bud, by relaxing your face, lightly rub your temples, breathe a sigh, and smile!
Try to avoid getting into the habit of frowning because others, including kids, pick up on your mood and soon they too are frowning.  Avoid Frownland.  We want Joyland, and sometimes Toyland, as well!!!
Also, if you want to make a ton of people happy, when they ask, "How are you?,"  Just say, "Pretty good, thanks!"  or "Great!" instead of "Everything sucks!"   Don't bring people down.  The mopefest, and the venting of the spleen should be reserved for those nearest and dearest to us, or saved for the diary.
Peace, and SMILE, Laugh and joke.  Here is a good joke for you.
"I set my Sleep Number bed to Windows 7. Now my bed has bugs and no support whatsoever."
Stand Tall, and Relax your face, and your mind!
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Talking comes by nature, silence by wisdom.

A lot of people who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are extremely talkative.  In fact, sometimes words come flying out their mouths without any forethought put into the words, and then words not meant to be spoken are uttered. 
I know for a certainty my ADHD has caused me to say things which I have later regretted.
More often than not, it is concerning a topic I know best.  Myself.
So, I will disclose T.M.I (too much information,) about myself, and I will be the one at the disadvantage.
I used to monologue a lot.  The listener would open their eyes wide with horror, as I stumbled for words to describe everything in my life all in one visit.
Needless to say, it turned people off.
A conversation is not an interruption.
Was it me clamoring for attention, was the talkativeness nerves, or did I feel insecure and feel the need to prove something?  I don't know.
Nowadays, I try and avoid it.  Also, I try to avoid being with those people who make me feel I have to disclose everything to them. 
There are inquisitive types who are always trolling for juicy gossip.  I don't indulge them.
A large part of controlling my talking has to do with having a husband I truly respect and confide in.
I can confide in him first, and then edit what I want to tell others.
Also, knowing the ADHD is a factor in making me an impulsive talker is a help.
Even now, when my emotions get excited and I feel I have to tell everything, I remind myself, I DON'T HAVE TO TELL EVERYTHING!
I have been burned by people in the past by my talking too much.  Especially when going through a divorce, and when dealing with lawyers.
It seems some people feel when you tell them everything about you, they can take full advantage of you and your weaknesses, and they can use you for their own interests.  They can hurt you a lot as well, teasing you and telling other people your faults.  The sad fact is, they are hurting you with information you have so generously and freely given them! 
After all, they might think: "I paid the price for this.  I listened to your mindless chatter."
If you sense people don't want to listen to you, and arn't sincerely interested in you, walk away, YOU DON'T NEED THEM.
You are not a kid in grade school now, and you don't need to explain to Mommy or any authority-figure what you have been up to.
NEVER COMPLAIN, NEVER EXPLAIN!
Your self-respect comes first.  Keep your dignity by knowing when to keep your mouth shut.
Peace,
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: How to avoid self-sabotage? Don't tolerate Negative Self-talk, avoid ThE crAzY WeIgHts of the WOrld!.

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” ~ Anonymous

You were meant to win, not to lose.  Nevertheless, with ADD/ADHD you may have to overcome a few more hurdles to get that powerful WINNING mindset.

You have a problem and so do I.  It is with us everyday.  Now we KNOW it's there.  (Or we hopefully, got confirmation by a professional that it is there!)

So, watch it try and wreak havoc in your life, but don't let it get you down.

Who cares if you talk back at it, laugh at it, bust it in its tracks.

"Ha-hah!  Caught ya!" are some words you may direct to your ADD/ADHD

self-sabotaging thought and action patterns.

>YOU CAN CHANGE THOSE PATTERNS BY ACCOMMODATING YOUR ADD/ADHD SELF!<

I hope you can follow along with what I am writing here.

If you are under professional care, I think you can.

There are behavioral and cognitive things you can do to avoid losing control of your emotions.

Slow down.  Breathe. 

ALSO: DON'T LET LOSERS INTO YOUR UNITY CIRCLE.

Instead, find those people who assist you in being your very best.

Look for people in your life who can uplift you just by their very nature, or else by their training.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE (which is very, very hard because they are everywhere!) the folks whon I call, "ThE crAzY WeIgHts of the WOrld!."

They use you freely for their own THERAPY.

They ask you for advice, then they shoot you down for being an idiot!

They belong to "the ain't it awful club."  Their "happy hour" is  really their MISERY hour.

Remember, because you are ADD/ADHD, you deserve and need encouragement...

BUT DON'T EXPECT IT from the CRAZY WEIGHTS OF THE WORLD!

Actually, most everyone: clients, customers, folks, think you are normal and can take all their B.S.

You may or may not be able to bear their burdens, but you DON'T HAVE TO.

You don't need MORE negativity in your life.

YOU HAVE ENOUGH WITH THE ADD/ADHD.

Now, affirm that you are somebody.

Somebody.  NOT A DOOR MAT!

Rule your own life, and choose your companions wisely so you can hang with the R.B.P. wherever you can find them in your world.

The R.B.P. are the

REALLY 

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!

They may look normal on the outside, but if they are right for you, and they help you to like being you, valuing your unique gifts and talents while helping or inspiring you to make the most of your potential then:

 THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!

And you are too.

Peace,

Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Procrastination leads to late credit card fees. Pay right away!

"Sometimes it feels like I'm bathing in molasses..."  Those are the opening lyrics to my original song, entitled "A.D.D. Blues"
I mailed my Sony credit card payment check in 2 days before the due date, and I got a bill saying that I didn't pay my Sony Credit card bill on time and I was charged $39.00.   Why don't they just make it an even $40?
I thought I got the money in on time, but due to the snail mail the folks at Chase/Sony/Whatever processed it the day after it was due, hence the $39 charge!
Plus Interest!!!
So, I will cut up that card, needless to say.
I tried calling to straighten things out, but the Chase people said, "No go."
So, it's my loss as well as THEIRS!
The sad fact is, I had the funds to pay the bill, but I was very busy.  You know, just like you, I've got a life!
I didn't know I could just call them up and pay over the phone, and I couldn't find the correct website or my Sony card password, so I felt ripped off by yet another credit card company.
I didn't tell you my Target card horror story, where some hackers got into my account.
I was lucky Target notified me.  Nevertheless, guess who no longer uses her Target card either?
I think victims of ADD/ADHD have to be hypervigilant about the use of credit cards.
Be careful, it's a credit card/electronic JUNGLE out there!
When I got my citation last week from the cop, I was told the only way I could pay my traffic fine was on the telephone with a credit card!
Credit cards are a necessary evil in this society.  Necessary, yes, and yet, still very EVIL!
The lack of money is the ROOT of ALL EVIL! 
(A workmate I knew committed suicide due to money problems, addictions and ADD.  Needless to say having the credit card companies hounding him day and night did not help matters.)
Whoever had the "bright" idea of credit cards should be locked away.  Forcing all citizens to use credit cards is crazy, cruel and criminal IMHO.
ADD/ADHD victims are the ones who likely will pay most of the fines and fees to keep credit card companies happy, since the idea of cash..or good old-fashioned checks is now obsolete.

Peace,
Amy Zents


Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2