#93
What do you think about as you fall asleep? Or do you think? Maybe you count sheep. Maybe you fall asleep the second your head hits the pillow. Maybe you listen to music.
Me, I have tended to ruminate about things that bother me and that I can do little about — anti-gay hate speech in the Minnesota legislature, a restaurant owner who openly takes his workers’ tips, stuff like that.
Then one night I decided it was foolish to ruminate on such things, especially while I’m falling asleep. I decided I would rather fall asleep thinking about things I appreciate. “Count your blessings instead of sheep.” Besides, there happens to be a great cause for appreciation lying right next to me.
I rarely remember dreams, but the first night of appreciation I had many dreams that I remembered. And so it has continued. When I fall asleep within the energy of appreciation, I remember my dreams. When I slip and return to negative ruminating, I have no sense of having dreamed.
The other thing I notice is that I fall asleep fast when I am appreciating. But I can lie there for a long time before I sleep when I’m ruminating about troublesome things.
What energy do you fall asleep in?
P.S.
Spring in the north country is a beautiful green thing. I’m glad to be in Duluth!