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I so clearly remember the shock of having my first baby. I was so used to going to bed when I was tired, and waking up when I was finished sleeping. I also so distinctly remember the notion that I had, and the ideas that others seemed to have as well, that it is so important to get a good night’s sleep. But, what is a good night’s sleep? It seemed that people felt that a good night’s sleep was a solid uninterrupted block of time, where you would fall asleep, and not wake up until morning. Hmmm. Whenever I am confused by advice that seems contradictory, I put on my historian hat, and ask, “What did people do 1000 or 2000 years ago?” Wouldn’t having a newborn, and having other children in the house as well, naturally impact that “ideal” pattern of uninterrupted sleep? How could we “go forth and multiply”, but yet at the same time, “need” uninterrupted sleep? Well, 1000 or 200 years ago, I picture mothers and fathers, and children, and grandparents, and an aunt or so, living in close quarters. Families would not be isolating themselves with the goal of preserving a full, uninterrupted, night’s sleep. But, today there seems to be a premium placed on it. The reason this subject interests me is that I think the issue here is “self protection.” To a degree, yes, I think we need to protect ourselves from harm, and keep ourselves from evil. But, the notion can be taken too far. I ask, protect ourselves from what? Aging, struggle, discomfort, pain? Well, OK, I’m not crazy about pain. But, struggle can be good. Discomfort? Who said life would be smooth sailing? I’m not saying “Toughen up.” Instead, I want to emphasize the special gift that struggle brings, and accept that it is through the trials that we grow. Our burdens, that special gift to us, can be a tool, which we can use to perfect ourselves. But yet, we so often want to run away from it, and “protect ourselves”, when, in actuality, we are depriving ourselves of opportunity. As an aside, the subject of “needing” uninterrupted sleep reminds me of another thing I have heard. Namely, that it is so important to sit down, and calmly enjoy your meal. I remember hearing this discussed during a call in radio show. But I kept thinking that if it is so essential for us, why are little children so active? And, then I picture mothers serving food, and grabbing bits during a meal, finally finishing up after everyone else has been fed. That seems like such a familiar scene. Another contradictory notion… Don’t get me started. I think we’re a lot tougher than we often times give ourselves credit for. |
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