Layers are being selected without clicking the mouse!

As I'm working on artwork; Layers will automatically become selected.  I thought maybe this was me hitting something, but after seeing this happen when I wasn't touching anything on the keyboard or mouse I knew it was not a "user error"

This might play into the lag that I have been experiencing with Illustrator as of lately...  I have noticed numerous post's stating " Illustrator is running slowly" lately an I have been having those problems as well.  I have found myself "force quitting" Illustrator often during the past week. It happens when I open a file into Illustrator.  Illustrator will just buffer for as long as I let until I force quit.  These are typical .PDF files that I work with on a daily basis.  

Is there a way to get Illustrator running smoothly again without having to restart all of my Illustrator preferences?  I have Esko plug-ins and other preferences I do not want to go through the hassle of reinstalling or configuring.