Life in full ADHD: Part One: Contextual Frames

I’m on my way to the fridge. My intention: to bring out the cheese.  This action is part of a larger contextual frame of “having lunch” which I decided on some minutes ago. Before this, my attention and actions fell within the contextual frame of “working”. To transition from a “work” frame to a “lunch” frame, the sense that it was approaching “lunchtime”, and the sense of my being somewhat hungry, needed to enter my awareness. If all is running smoothly this might feel quite effortless; but it wouldn’t be happening without executive functioning processes running in the background.

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The Parable of the Empty Boat

If a man is crossing a riverAnd an empty boat collides with his own skiff,Even though he be a bad-tempered manHe will not become very angry.But if he sees a man in the boat,He will shout at him to steer clear.If the shout is not heard, he will shout again,And yet again, and begin cursing.And all because there is somebody in the boat.Yet if the boat were empty.He would not be shouting, and not angry.

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