sunday – Page 2 – Living, Loving, Laughing….

Sleep is a generous thief; he gives to vigor what he takes from time.

– Elizabeth, Queen of Romania

Is lack of sleep robbing you of your goals?

If you surveyed the millions of us who don’t get much sleep, chances are they’ll say that the #1 reason they don’t is “lack of time.” In other words, people have too much to do to sleep. Late hours and frantic mornings are the rule. Who has time for more sleep? What this tired group doesn’t realize is that a sleep debt is probably keeping them from acting and thinking at full strength, making even the easiest tasks harder to do. And take longer. Believe it or not, you can probably get more done in your day by getting more sleep. The mental and physical pick-up more than make up for that extra hour or two in bed.

Brought to you by SPARKPEOPLE

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Oh boy, does this strike a chord with me or what? I can’t remember when I decided going to bed at midnight and waking up at six am was a good idea, and totally enough sleep. I think it was somewhere around November 2007, when my step dad, so generously gave me a laptop as an early Christmas gift.

Yeah, I think that was it. Suddenly, the world of no cable, no internet from the previous seven months, was greatly widened. The beckoning beam of the computer screen sucked me in, I haven’t been able to shut it off since.

That’s my excuse anyway, “It’s a gift. What? Am I not supposed to use it? Phsss.”

Once the ~~obsession~~ newness wore off, I had met Jason by then. My new time killer was him. With work, kids, and living apart – we squeeze in time when we can. That means driving home 11-12 at night after watching TV and catching up on Survivor, Flash Forward, and Grey’s Anatomy.

If that wasn’t enough, THEN, I got an iPhone. The ~~newness~~ obsession was mind boggling. Please don’t ask Jason about it. It is embarrassing how much I love my iPhone, I think he is a little jealous.

Despite all that, if I am too look at my health, I have to admit. I could use more sleep. I could turn off the Look! Something shiny! call of the computers and get some more shut-eye. It is easier said than done.

I don’t have a problem sleeping either. That is not it. I sleep very soundly. I go to sleep instantly. You’re jealous right? Pssst. Melatonin. Works wonders, alleviates stress. It’s been a lifesaver for me – I hate laying awake at night – now I never do. Enlyten has dissolvable strips, works instantly. Instantly. Heaven. Simply Heaven.

I guess what it boils down to, I need to slow down for my health. I don’t feel lacking but, possibly, I could perform better. This reflection resonates in my life. I hope it did yours too.

*I pre-blogged this Saturday, so I could sleep in this morning AND it was time change night. Cha-ching! Extra, extra sleep. I feel like I could jump from rooftop to rooftop singing and I haven’t even have coffee yet. Yahoo!*

Life is not a ‘brief candle.’ It is a splendid torch that must be made to burn as brightly as possible before it is handed on to the next generation.

– George Bernard Shaw, Irish critic and playwright

How Can You Share Your Spark with Others?

Light is meant to be shared. If you try to hoard it or keep it covered, out of everyone’s sight, you’ll just end up smothering it. Try to close it in your fist so it doesn’t get away, and it burns you. You can’t possess light. All you can do is appreciate it, use it and help others use it, too. In the same way, your life is also meant to be shared. Many people look upon their lives as something that must be jealously protected and stowed away. They block out others and are afraid to share their time. What happens? Their spark suffocates. But there are others who have an abundance mentality. They believe, correctly so, that there’s plenty of life to go around, that all flames get brighter when we share them. They know that when we invest energy in others, we get even more in return. Don’t sacrifice your chance at a bonfire because you’re too busy trying to keep a tiny match from going out.

Healthy reflection brought to you by SPARKPEOPLE

Originally when I started this blog, I was an out of control forest fire – jumping from here to there – threatening houses. Angry with no direction but to consume. Then a funny thing happened, I saw torches all around me. Torches lit to share life and lessons. Torches showing truth, greatness, and a better way of dealing with anger. Torches leading to a bonfire.

A bonfire where everyone could dip their torch in for flame, or they could stand and appreciate the glow as it got brighter. The greater the number the bigger the light. The bigger the light, the better the stories – to learn, to grow, to be, to share.

This week, I have realized my sly jabs, in my blog, here and there were directed intentionally at someone I was angry with. That was my issue, not theirs. It only hurt me. Instead of getting revenge, I hoarded bitterness. In the midst, I got a new insight. I found a place where everyone is navigating life, passing their torches, offering a brighter place to be.

My spirit is renewed. My part is to always shine – brighter, stronger, and smarter. I may not be perfect. I may not always get it right. I may stumble, snuff out my flame, and have to start again. But I will try. I will try to lift my torch higher, to light your path, or to combine it with yours in a brilliant hue – so bright – we have to squint our eyes to see through it.

Don’t let your flame go out. Don’t get burned like I did. Share your light. Share your hope. Share your story. It could be exactly what someone needs to find their direction. Invest your energy, and be invested in return, abundantly.