re-collect our thoughts

Are you like the many people lately who've told me they wake up in the middle of the night and stay stuck in their awakeness, sometimes 'til sunlight cycles back through their windows?  Usually, the challenge isn't proximate snoring or mattress-hiding peas.  The challenge is almost always our feral thinking: not being in charge of what gets thunk. 

But why not consciously take the wheel here?  Collectively, our brains have been driving unsupervised way too long.  It's time to hire some better thoughts. 

It's easier than we've allowed ourselves to believe, and we can do it without even getting out of bed!  Thankfully, the first step to upgrading is just to watch those thoughts as they pop up.  (It's shocking how many have wedged their way into our idea of "normal." )

And I do mean notice.  No need to wrangle them to the ground and "overcome them."  We've tried that for eons, and it only gives those thoughts more power.  By not putting all our attention on strangling them, we can move beyond them, to that sacred, never-left-us place before words.

My recommendation involves no words, no crowding out with other, more "worthy" thoughts, but conjuring up the feeling of something that really makes your heart sing...then, still wordlessly, still lying down, put your hands over your heart, and let your attention sit on top of all that.  Stay there for a bit.

Without the tension of "what ifs" poking you awake, you are likely to produce in yourself a sense of warmth and calm, a peace that allows you to return joyfully to the rest you'll be able to put to good use!

It really is that easy.  Oh, and I'd love to hear what it felt like for you!