It’s 2 am and I find myself staring across the room at the glowing blue numbers on the clock. I told myself I would sleep through the night but my circadian rhythms have me stirring while the rest of the house is snoozing. These are the times when my mind decides it can solve ALL my problems…or at least it can try!
I know the routine so I climb out of bed and stumble my way out of the room. I don’t want to wake my wife who is sleeping peacefully next to the warm pillow I just left, so I am careful to step where I know I can avoid the creaks of an old house.
As counterintuitive as it sounds, I make my ritualistic cup of coffee and settle in for my “creative time”. I take advantage of the brew time and sit down for a short meditation session to stop my problem-solving state of mind.
That savory first sip of coffee sends the endorphins coursing through my body and I am rejuvenated beyond the caffeine’s capabilities. Now I am ready to take full advantage of my disadvantage of being awake at 2 am.
Nothing.
I don’t feel like drawing. I don’t feel like writing. I don’t feel like designing. I don’t feel like planning.
Nothing.
I slowly began to realize my mind was pushing back and it just wanted to be present so I let it. I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes, and began to listen. Then I heard the soft knocking of rain falling outside my window. Slowly at first. Then it began to build to a steady, solid rain.
As the rain intensified, I found myself laying in a tent on one of my backpacking trips through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I could hear the breeze blowing through the pine and smell the cleansing effect the rain brings. There were no animal sounds because most have sought shelter to wait out the passing rain.
As the minutes passed, I became more immersed in the visualization of that backpacking trip. All brought on by my mind’s recognition of what was happening outside my window. I was a happy passenger on this nature tour.
Sometimes, you just need to be willing to listen. Listen to your body when it’s telling you to rest. Listen to your mind when it’s telling you to not think. Listen to your soul when it’s screaming for an adventure. And listen to nature when it wants to take your mind away.
All you have to do is listen.
-Shay
Be the one who cares because there is no guarantee that anyone else will.
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Great post, and great way to take advantage of 2 a.m. sleeplessness!
Sometimes it is easier than others to make the most out of what we’re given!