Tossing, turning and worrying the night away are not things most of us would consider "assistance" from our Higher Power!
Today's reading in Courage to Change asks us to look at sleeplessness from two perspectives.
The first is that of the anonymous author. Just like them, when I have had sleepless nights, I'd wonder what was wrong, anxiously trying solutions. Not being able to solve the problem quickly puts me in a panic! Personally, I rule out most of the solutions mentioned in the reading. Hot milk would give me reflux later on. Reading in bed is not advised either, as the bed is supposed to be used just for sleep. Music would help me, but only if I listened and meditated somewhere other than my bedroom.
Unlike the author, if I went more than a few nights without sleep, I would not be around to talk about it in a meeting. Lack of sleep is a key trigger for my emotional illness and I have had hospital stays when I am sleepless and anxious.
Still, I can still appreciate an alternate experience: "Another member related a similar problem. What had helped him was to accept the situation fully and admit he was powerless to make himself sleep. In retrospect, he said, his sleeplessness had been a blessing; it had kept him too tired to get into trouble."
When sleeplessness is not a trigger, I can admit that a sleep challenge might be a reminder to stop worrying about my loved one's emotional sobriety or addiction. Although I do hesitate to call a "sleep emergency" a blessing from my HP, or an answered prayer.... I could however use it as a motivation to my own business.
Today's Reminder reads,
"Perhaps something I regard as a problem is really a form of assistance."
"Nothing is either good or bad. It's thinking that makes it so." William Shakespeare
How true about my thinking being what does me in. I stay up too late most nights but am glad that I can sleep in a bit in the morning.
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