Old Tricks

Since we moved here at the end of August, I have not used many of the strategies (tricks) I previously relied on to keep life running smoothly and prevent me from burning down the house or leaving water running in the sink for hours on end. I thought I was using better methods to stay focused and prevent my brain injury from making our lives chaotic.

On my frig hangs a very useful tool I picked up from Giveback . It lists 7 Techniques for Success:

1. Anticipate mistakes
2. Get prepared
3. Try harder; be more careful
4. Take pause as needed
5. Do only ONE thing at a time
6. Don't outrun your brain
7. Watch for mistakes
   

Notice the list starts and ends with mistakes. Errors. At Giveback, we learn to analyze our errors using a specific form (an EA or Error Analysis form) designed to aid in understanding how and why the mistake was made and to devise workable plans to prevent its repetition. I have over 150 EA forms filled in and, believe me, it helps and is worth the tedium ant time to do them.

But I still make mistakes, and one of them is thinking I can get away without using my cumbersome strategies or tricks. Here's a sample of what I'm talking about...

Today, Baby Snooks, our old bulldog was barking at the front door. She does that sometimes, but this time she was on the outside. I have no idea how long she had been out there. We don't have a fence so always stay with her when we take her out. I must have just wandered back in and forgotten I had her.

Yesterday evening I went to the kitchen for some water. It was really hot in there. I had left a burner on... for the second time in three days. Earlier, I had discovered water running on the bathroom sink I hadn't used since early that morning.

I have repeatedly driven off leaving the garage door open, and as often as not, I forget to lock the house when I leave. There are other "errors," but you get the idea. 

What is bad is that I know strategies to deal with most of these issues and have not been using them. Pride. I don't want red and blue dots or stars pasted around my new house to remind me to check the stove and water. I don't want a tag on my keychain to remind me to check the dog, bring my phone, lock up before I drive off, etc. 

The bottom line is I am acting like a spoiled child. I need these tricks, crutches, or whatever you want to call them. I have many strategies, and I should be using them all! 

Guess I'll be going back to my old tricks. 

Social Whirl

One of the things my therapists worked with me on in California was reestablishing and active social life. Before my last accident, I was busy and involved and led a very interactive life as well as worked 60+ hours a week. I loved it.

Nothing turns one off to social interaction like not knowing what's going on. Short term memory problems and my hearing impairment combine to derail my interpersonal trains. early on. Something like that is embarrassing not only for me but for people around me who cannot underatand that I can be brilliant one minute and not know where I live the next.

God has responded to my prayers and willingness to step out in faith. I was at a meeting last night, a Red hats pool party today and a Bible Study tonight. I was too disinhibited at the meeting (not uncommon with brain injured folks) and spoke too loudly and too often yet never really got said what I wanted to get across... but there will be other chances... or there won't. God is at the helm and will tend to the outcome. My job is to trust Him amd place myself completerly in His hands. How freeing that is!

Feeling more connected with our new church family is also a big thing. I love the children of God, but I need to make a affot to go to functions where I don't know others and often must attent alone due to Richard's work. Before my brain injury that was never a problem. I assimilated quickly and loved every minute of it.

Yhen there is teh problem of fatigue. I usually cannot got yo more than onne public function in a dahy. Today, I did three! I made it through all without "flooding," getting lost in a conversation, or having to leave to take a nap. I feel pretty accom,plished about all that and will push the envelope harder. God is indeed GOOD!