What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
Just came across this question in a friend’s email this morning, and thought it was very apt for me and my circumstance currently. You see, I haven’t really “slept” for about 2 weeks now. I mean, yes, I’m sleeping — but not in a restful, rejuvenating way. Every morning I wake up and just want to go back to sleep. And I’m not really sure why. There are numerous theories floating around out there thanks to well-intentioned friends and family members: I’m worried about something, I’m too busy, I’m not taking care of myself, yadayadayada. And there seems to be a modicum of truth in every theory. I AM pretty busy at the moment; there are a number of things occuping my thoughts (although I wouldn’t say I’m “worried” per se); the preoccupation has me taking less care of my physical health than usual. But here’s what I’ve come to realize: what’s keeping me up at night actually doesn’t matter. Huh? That’s right, it doesn’t matter, and here’s why.
Exploring what is on your mind or going on in your body to prevent you from getting the rest you need does merit some of your time. But not to the degree that it keeps you on the treadmill of “not sleeping.”. You see, I could think this thing through and work myself into such a frenzy that I get even less sleep. Trust me, this would NOT be a good thing! Or I can just acknowledge that my current sleep pattern is less than ideal and stay on the lookout for signs of how to rectify the situation. This isa classic scenario in which “holding a question” rather than working to answer that same question, can serve well. In this case, the question is “what’s keeping me up at night?”. If I just hold that question, and allow the answer to surface, I’m more likely to find a solution to whatever the issue is than if I try to force the answer.
Bottom-line: trying to force an answer to reveal itself — especially when you’re sleep-deprived — will not be of much benefit, to you or those around you. Instead, allowing the answer to emerge organically is the route to take. It boils down to trust and faith. It’s time to trust that what’s keeping you up isn’t something to worry about, it’s just something that is — and will pass in due course. Until then, a mug of warm milk, or a cup of chamomile tea will serve you well.
Standing on the Brink
“The brink of what?” you might ask. To which I say, “the brink of success”. I’m feeling called to write about this today, as I feel myself feeling on the brink another level of success. It’s the nature of life: we tend to move from success to success (or if the word “success” feels too strong for you, then use “event” — that’s broad and general enough I should think). The inherent challenge in this movement is that, as we get closer to our goal, there can be a weariness of sorts that sets in, even as you feel a simultaneous adrenaline rush that arises out of the awareness of how close you are. Do you know what I’m talking about? Let me give you a concrete example:
You’re running a race. A long race. You’re nearing the finish line. You can see it — it’s totally within your grasp, and you’re tired as hell. Every fibre of your being wants you to stop – but there’s a louder something within you that pushes you to put on a last burst of energy and surge forward. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t, but you do cross that line. And you gain a sense of accomplishment as a result. But what would happen if you gave in to the voice of fatigue? You wouldn’t reach your goal, and you’d miss it by a mere number of feet. So close, and yet so far.
For so many people, this sense of being so close and yet so far is the norm. The closer you get to your goal, the louder the voices of fear, doubt, fatigue, etc; become. The question for you to hold is, will you reach down deep and access the voice of encouragement, of inner wisdom, of championing to pull you (or push you) over the brink? Because the brink is really that point of no return – the imaginary line which, if you can just reach it and step over it, separates you from the life you know, and the life you’re creating. When you’re standing on the brink, you absolutely could turn back. And, unless you step over, the next level of success will elude you.
There’s Something in the Air
You know, for the last few days there’s been something in the air. I wasn’t really aware of it at first; I made the assumption that what I was feeling was something inside ME. But then I started looking around, talking to others, and realized this is not just ME. This is a lot of people. And what I know from experience is that when a lot of people seem to be having the same feelings going on, it’s the energetic field that’s got something going on. Here’s what I’ve come to believe about the energy of the world right now: the voice of fear is drowning out the voices of trust, reason and love.
“So what?”, you might ask. Well, here’s what. When the voice of fear is as loud as it currently is, there’s a heaviness of heart that’s evident all around us. And that heaviness has people making snap decisions — decisions based in fear — which is rarely a good basis for a decision.
So what’s the solution? You play a game. The waiting game, more specifically. That’s right, you sit down, breathe, and wait things out. Let yourself get really still and quiet. Quiet your mind, quiet your tongue. Let the voice of fear shout itself out (you don’t have to listen to it) until it’s hoarse and then allow the other voices — the voices of trust, reason and love to make themselves heard. You’ll know that you’re hearing those voices when the heaviness in your heart lifts. And then, with a lighter heart, you can make your choices. Ironically, they may be the same choices as you were feeling inclined towards when listening to the voice of fear. When those choices are made in a spirit of trust, reason and love, howver, they’re more likely to garner results that serve. Which is a good thing.
Control Freak Series
The Control Freak’s Guide to Living Lightly: Manifesting a Life of Total Trust
By Gail Barker & Gail Nielsen
Are you a control freak? Do you suspect you’re a control freak, but you’re not sure? Are you afraid to admit it? Are you afraid to ask? Have no fear…click here to read more
(www.controlfreakseries.com)