Dear and Glorious Sleep

Dear and Glorious Sleep

If you are someone who has a hard time sleeping throughout the night, more often than not, and feel sleep deprived, daily life can have some unwelcomed challenges. When sleep eludes me, it’s “are you kidding me… I thought the problem was solved… what is it this time?” Those who know about my elusive relationship with sleep often wonder how I can function as well as I do on such little sleep. Most people would never know the adventures I have been on, or the countless attempts made to solve the mystery behind my unpredictable journey with sleep. In an attempt to understand and come to terms with this curiosity in my life, I have decided to simplify my assessment of the matter.

In reflection, I wonder if I am just someone who does not need a lot of sleep, and it’s just me who thinks the problem is worse than it actually it is- since I seemed to be able to function fine with little sleep. Or perhaps I am made of strong genes and come from sturdy family stock; much like the penguins who can endure massive storms and the bitter cold of the great North Country. Whatever the case may be, I know whenever my body becomes too exhausted, it will simply time out and will me to sleep for 7 hours. Or it forces me to lie down and take a 2 hour nap- usual in the afternoon. As a rule, however, 5 to 6 hrs of solid sleep seems to be the minimum amount my body requires in order for me function full throttle; anything less than that and I become only slightly less productive.

I sometimes asked myself if it is my high-spirited, energetic nature that keeps me functioning as well as I do regardless of my inconsistent sleep patterns. I also wonder at times how much more I could accomplish if I were able to sleep more than I do. I was told recently by a doctor that if you dream while asleep the brain has reached the rapid eye movement cycle thus allowing it to enter where it needs to be in order to receive proper rest. If that is the case, than I am in good shape. Regardless of how long I sleep, I almost always have an active dream life. So maybe I will do just fine, health-wise, in the years to come, in spite of my elusive journey with sleep. I must say, if I could, I would love to be able to sleep 8 hours a night on a daily basis; however, after not ever having been able to do so consistently- since early childhood- perhaps it is not meant to be. If that is the case, I may need to simply accept what is regardless of what the medical experts say about the amount of sleep required for maintaining long-term brain health. So far I am doing okay, and will continue to look for solutions to help me sleep more than I normally do. I do after all love the side-effects experienced after a good night sleep. 

Over the years I have witnessed many miracles first hand in my life, particularly with family, friends and clients. Who knows: maybe being able to sleep 8 to 9 hours per night, will be one for the records at some point in my life. The one thing I do know is that usually at the root of every human miracle I have witnessed is the power of the human spirit. Anything can happen in the life dream when Power of YOU is awakened!

Every time I facilitate a Sand Play session I am blessed to watch people interact with the power of their spirit through their sand tray creations. In my book, Sand Play for the Soul, I refer to this innate intelligence as the knowing place of the soul. It is an incredible and vast inner resource we can greatly benefit from if we tap into it on an ongoing basis. For more on my work with SandWorks®, or my book, stay on this site www.SandWorks.net

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