Thanks ipsofacto,
I have to admit, I got an attitude and just about quit coming here when I couldn’t post on this thread last time I was here. You did what I thought about, bit didn’t cuz, hmm. cuz I’m a d*&k sometimes. Good idea! 
Meditation is definitely a key ingredient in living an all around better life with adhd, thyroid problems, G.I. issues, and being a human being in general, we all have our different bags of co-morbidodities. I want to answer ashockly’s question about the meditation connection. I think meditation is an excellent way to zero in on learning to practice mindfulness, it’s like a mental workout, we get better at mindfulness by meditating. I like to keep it really simple. Mindfulness is becoming a non judgmental observer, or spectator of our own thinking. While meditating I simply pay more attention to whatever my brain chooses to think about. It’s like a dog on the end of a long leash. The trick is to be gentle but firm about me being fully in control of how far I let the dog wander off the path I’m leading it on. I compare my brain to a dog on a leash. I might walk (roll) around the block, covering maybe half a mile, but the dog probably travels a few miles at the same time. Because it’s zig zagging all over the place, smelling this, peeing on that. Constantly being distracted by kids on skateboards, other dogs. Shiny things!, “Wow!, cool truck”, “hey! dang I wish I was on that bike”… etc. What I do that’s different is I’m never hard on the dog. I’m extremely gentle about pulling back on the leash when it strays too close to the street for example. No matter what my mind decides to think about, I’m never harsh or judgmental with it. I do make sure that I gradually train my mind to do what I direct it to do, like a parent, I’m consistent and patient. That’s why meditation is important. It’s time I set aside to completely give 100% of my attention, interest, and love to my thinking. I like to use a mantra. It doesn’t matter how many times I have to bring my mind back to repeating the mantra. I’m willing to take the time. like a patient loving parent. My mind will eventually learn who’s in charge, this takes years. It’s a marathon, not a short term therapy thing. It’s a good idea to do some reading on the many different ways to go about meditation, we’ve got choices. One size does not fit all. Be willing to embark on a journey if you’re serious about picking up a tool like this. Writing all this helps me; now, if I don’t meditate more now, I’ll feel like a hypocrite. That’s a crappy way to feel. So I’m making a commitment myself here as I write.
This is the goal, the ideal. But I have to remember perfection is not a realistic expectation. It’s not likely I’ll ever get to “enlightenment”, but I’ll see improvement. I’ve experienced great improvement in the past, A lot!. I will be able to “lighten up”. ukay?
I don’t let frustration or conflict of any kind affect my relationship with my brain (the lil dog on a leash) In my case meditation is 100% about my connection with God, my mind’s contact with God. That’s a personal choice. Even if you don’t believe in God. It’s good to have some kind of force, or power you consider stronger than yourself to reach out to for extra help. “A power greater than ourself”. That’s a very old tactic that still does work for lot’s of folks. The people here at totallyadd.com as a group are a power much greater than me alone, a great place to start for anyone. This community is a power capable of helping me learn to live with my recipe of mental health hurdles. Along with good medical care, nutrition, and forcing myself to spend time with people in person. My participation keeps my accountable. At the very least to myself. It’s important for me to feel like I’m giving back. I hope this helps.
I’m making better choices nowadays who I spend my time with, and what I read. Ipsofacto says a lot of good stuff on the first page of this thread. I read stuff like that more than once or twice. That’s just what it takes for me. I accept that. http://totallyadd.com/forum/topic.php?id=2217 , run a search on mindfulness too, that will help.
So, the bottom line…
Actual meditation is the best way to practice this mindfulness stuff I know of. At some point as we’re just a spectator, making observations. We realize most of the emotions that happen are a result of how our mind uses it’s perspective to judge the world we’re in. I redirect the mind to a better perspective, the key is to do it positively, and gently. Meditation is mindfulness practice. Mantra words like the ones in Dr. Jain’s blogs http://totallyadd.com/favoritemantra-words-part-5-rules/ http://totallyadd.com/favoritemantra-words-part-4-busy/ http://totallyadd.com/favoritemantra-words-part-3-–-obey/ help a lot. It’s a pain in the neck finding them all, it’s worth it though, they’re good reading. Good luck.
Remember to breath too. That’s a good thing.
7-28-12
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