I want to call this ‘beautiful’, but coming off of such a night I feel the pain. This is my nocturnal life as an old person. I honestly don’t remember what it feels like to sleep the whole night through. I love your wry humor here and I know I should try to laugh about it too.
Finding the humor isn't always easy, or even possible, but I'm appreciative when it surfaces. Like you, I slept poorly last night. Good thing this piece was already written! Thanks, Ramona.
I think if we are all honest, most of us have a lot in common with you... Sleep sometimes is a chore rather than a privilege... I've never had the answer... only a few clues.. And everything is fair game to try... Most recently, I call out as I recline, "Alexa ..play music to help me sleep "... I'm loving those ocean wave sounds...zzzzzzz.
I am a white noise devotee. For years it was a real fan, then an app to mimic the sound of one, now an air purifier. But, there's no way I could have indulged in such deliciousness until my offspring were grown and gone. :) Thank you, Barry.
Let your thoughts rise and fall. Your mind is a house with a front door and a back door. Keep them both open. Thoughts will arrive at the front door. Invite them in, but don't make them tea or serve them food. Allow them to drift out the back.
That was a practice from my silent meditation retreat last month.
I was an anxious child. When I was a teen, my mom got me a book - Alan Watts' "Wisdom of Insecurity" which set me on a path.
I guess I'm still on it. No exit ramp. Just a front door and a back door.
Once my brain fires up it’s tough for me to sleep. On top of that, aches and pains kick in making it nearly impossible. Eventually I settle in and have a long hibernation-like slumber, even if it has taken a few nights. I guess my body knows when it’s no longer an option to be awake.
Happy new year! As I lay awake, I held off picking up my phone until 4:58 a.m. And then, to my delight, read this! So next time, I will include you in my gratitude prayer, which is one way I settle myself back to sleep. Thank you for sharing your humor, wit, and wisdom through your beautiful writing.
Well, gosh. How fun, and funny, and humbling, and affirming. Thanks for sharing this, Cynthia. I've had a bumpy few nights in a row, to be honest (I'm guessing it's moon-related!), and it is somehow comforting to know that I'm not alone. <3
Ah, starting to try to solve the worlds problems....starting at 11 pm. and the dogs deciding an outside jaunt would be good around 2:30 am. I spend way to many hours awake when I would like to be sleeping. My latest exercise in futility is to sing a longer song (in my head. Kelley has never been fond of my singing and apparently it doesn't improve in the wee hours of the morning) Such as McLean's "American Pie". Thoughts creep in and I find my self starting a verse several times. LOL. It's more of a PIA then a major bump in the road. My health is fine and it only happens once or twice a week. I feel you pain and join you in search for a quiet mind. As far as the worry portion of your essay, I will leave you with something I heard years ago; "Worry is the worst use of imagination"
Missed this comment earlier, somehow. Occasionally, it's musical earworms that keep me awake, so I might try working that in reverse with your technique, Eric. Thanks for the idea, and for reading! :)
I want to call this ‘beautiful’, but coming off of such a night I feel the pain. This is my nocturnal life as an old person. I honestly don’t remember what it feels like to sleep the whole night through. I love your wry humor here and I know I should try to laugh about it too.
I’ll give that a try tonight.
Love this!
Finding the humor isn't always easy, or even possible, but I'm appreciative when it surfaces. Like you, I slept poorly last night. Good thing this piece was already written! Thanks, Ramona.
I think if we are all honest, most of us have a lot in common with you... Sleep sometimes is a chore rather than a privilege... I've never had the answer... only a few clues.. And everything is fair game to try... Most recently, I call out as I recline, "Alexa ..play music to help me sleep "... I'm loving those ocean wave sounds...zzzzzzz.
I am a white noise devotee. For years it was a real fan, then an app to mimic the sound of one, now an air purifier. But, there's no way I could have indulged in such deliciousness until my offspring were grown and gone. :) Thank you, Barry.
I loved your poem and the story. I know exactly what you mean.
Love,
Tom
Thanks, Tom. As I recall, you've had your share of sleep troubles over the years.
Let your thoughts rise and fall. Your mind is a house with a front door and a back door. Keep them both open. Thoughts will arrive at the front door. Invite them in, but don't make them tea or serve them food. Allow them to drift out the back.
That was a practice from my silent meditation retreat last month.
I was an anxious child. When I was a teen, my mom got me a book - Alan Watts' "Wisdom of Insecurity" which set me on a path.
I guess I'm still on it. No exit ramp. Just a front door and a back door.
Don't make them tea or serve them food. Perfect! Love all of this, Stew, thanks!!
Once my brain fires up it’s tough for me to sleep. On top of that, aches and pains kick in making it nearly impossible. Eventually I settle in and have a long hibernation-like slumber, even if it has taken a few nights. I guess my body knows when it’s no longer an option to be awake.
That's a rather predictable pattern for me, too. Thank goodness!
👍🥱😴😳
"hyperbolic dread I manufacture in the middle of the night" Yep. Thank you for this. Your wisdom is so spot on.
Somehow I have long equated wisdom with mastery. I think I need to rethink that. Thanks for commenting, Courtney!
Happy new year! As I lay awake, I held off picking up my phone until 4:58 a.m. And then, to my delight, read this! So next time, I will include you in my gratitude prayer, which is one way I settle myself back to sleep. Thank you for sharing your humor, wit, and wisdom through your beautiful writing.
Well, gosh. How fun, and funny, and humbling, and affirming. Thanks for sharing this, Cynthia. I've had a bumpy few nights in a row, to be honest (I'm guessing it's moon-related!), and it is somehow comforting to know that I'm not alone. <3
Ah, starting to try to solve the worlds problems....starting at 11 pm. and the dogs deciding an outside jaunt would be good around 2:30 am. I spend way to many hours awake when I would like to be sleeping. My latest exercise in futility is to sing a longer song (in my head. Kelley has never been fond of my singing and apparently it doesn't improve in the wee hours of the morning) Such as McLean's "American Pie". Thoughts creep in and I find my self starting a verse several times. LOL. It's more of a PIA then a major bump in the road. My health is fine and it only happens once or twice a week. I feel you pain and join you in search for a quiet mind. As far as the worry portion of your essay, I will leave you with something I heard years ago; "Worry is the worst use of imagination"
Missed this comment earlier, somehow. Occasionally, it's musical earworms that keep me awake, so I might try working that in reverse with your technique, Eric. Thanks for the idea, and for reading! :)