ADHD, an Apostolic Exhortation, Another Document, and V8

Earlier today I said that I looked forward to reading Benedict XVI's new apostolic exhortation. (November 11, 2010)

Then, I remembered that it's been a while since I wrote a post about Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). The last one was in July.

Decisions, Decisions

Which raised an interesting question. Several. Should I start reading "Verbum Domini" (English translation, of course) before finishing "Charity in Truth?"

And what made me think I'd finish the new 200-plus page document?

"Reading" isn't Necessarily "Studying"

For one thing - I'll make a distinction between "reading" and "studying." I've been "studying" Caritas in Veritate: taking a paragraph or two at a time (they're long paragraphs) and writing about the ideas expressed. That's more work than "reading:" taking one paragraph after another, thinking about each one, and then going on to the next. There's less mental "chewing" involved.

ADHD, Medication, V8, and Reading - Or is it Studying?

Another point: Turns out, I've got ADD. Actually, I gather, it's ADHD - inattentive. (October 14, 2010) In other words, I'm not particularly hyperactive, but my mind tends to wander if I'm not careful about paying attention to the conversation that's going on in the kitchen just now while the radio plays and V8 is a sort of vitamin cocktail in a can - "Wow! I could have had a V8!"

See what I mean?

I started taking methylin recently - the generic version of Ritalin which isn't just for kids, since adults can - - - I think we'll have to increase the dose a bit.

I may start reading the latest exhortation before finishing Caritas in Veritate: But I really should start plowing through the document on charity and truth on a more regular basis.

Sort-of-related posts:

• "ADD and Me: Good News, Bad News"
  (October 14, 2010)
• "Attention Deficit Disorder, Catholicism, and Looking Sandbagged"
  (October 8, 2010)
• "Twitter, Gallbladders, the Catholic Church, and Me"
  (September 18, 2010)
  Particularly
  • There's Nice and Normal - And There's Me
• "Aspergers, Meditation, Tolerance and a Loud Pump"
  (September 3, 2010)
• "Caritas in Veritate, Charity in Truth, Link Page"
  (July 17, 2009, updated as new posts are written)
• "Time in a Garden"
  (May 6, 2010)
• "Prayer, Medicine and Trusting God"
  (March 4, 2010)
• "Medication for Depression? Yeah: The Catholic Church is Okay With That"
  (February 25, 2010)