I love a sleepless night…..

No really.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

I have learned (took decades) that when sleeplessness strikes to embrace it. No tossing and turning. No moaning and groaning. Just sweet surrender.

Why? You might ask.

I decided it was a gift. An opportunity.

So when such an occasion arose a few nights ago I did a bit of self talk, reminded myself that tomorrow, regardless of sleep or lack thereof, it was going to be a wonderful day.

Having established that, I snuggled down and asked what I could learn in this semi-rest state. What did I need to know? I suppose I was aiming for a casual meditative sort of state. So I let my mind wander.

I had spent the last several months dealing with a couple of health issues. Nothing terminal, but enough to upset the vibrancy of my life.

Physical activity is important to me, (nothing overly wonderful) but my wings had been clipped and I could not walk the usual 10,000 that added so much quality to my day. As that capability waned so did my interest in so many other activities core to my existence.

A referral to a specialist had made all the difference and improvements had taken place, but I was reluctant to try and return to my old routine. Until my wonderful sleepless night.

Suddenly my whole spirit lifted that night. The message was; return. Do. Be.

So I did.

There was a lot more to it of course. A whole night’s worth. And what a difference it has made.

Suddenly thoughts are clearer. Clarity is such a nice thing. Isn’t it?

So those are the thoughts from this burner of bridges on this Saturday night. And the next time you can’t sleep – try embracing it and see if it speaks to you.

Bridgesburning mission: ever changing

Daily writing prompt

What is your mission?

View all responses

So the inane prompts keep coming. 

Is the question Mission in Life? Mission in task? Mission in…..

Today, actually, I was thrilled to see it snowing. I love our wintery season, especially going for a walk while it snows and the world presents quieter than usual.

I stepped outside, suitably clothed and began a trek to the local library to return on book and pick up another.

My mission became a snowy walk, a circumstance that brings a feeling of joy. 

Once inside, I settled to read my new book, The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters.

Through the massive wall of windows I could see the snow continuing to fall, and I found myself yawning as my body became acclimated to the warmth of the reading room.

So I decided to head home, considering a longer route to savour the experience.

Then I noticed a subtle change. Well, perhaps not too subtle. No change in the amount of snow falling but joy was short lasting as each supposed snow flake became a small dagger, apparently intent on piercing my skin.

Yes, snow became sleet, became ice, and the winds rose, as I struggled to maintain footing.

Then my mission changed yet again to proceed directly home, do not pass go.

As conditions worsened, my mission changed yet again, to seek shelter which came in the form of a city bus, that I quickly boarded, and that quickly brought me home.

So now I sit at my desk, looking out of my large windows waiting for the tea to steep.

And that was my mission on this lovely day!

Bridgesburning Day 7 Bloganuary – Everything

Daily writing prompt

What could you do differently?

View all responses

Everything.

(Another rather ridiculous prompt. Let’s hope they get bette)

Bridgesburning Bloganuary Day 6 The Billboard – Not

Daily writing prompt

If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?

View all responses

So, here’s the deal. The first two bloggers, Raffaello Palandri and JB’s, both responded by saying they would leave the billboard blank. Each had different reasons, but I was surprised because that was my initial response.

Now JB has bid adieu to Bloganuary because of unimaginative prompts, and I must say I agree with her. 

Photo by Julia Filirovska on Pexels.com

I think I will continue for a bit, not because I think the prompts are worthy but because the exercise has gotten me back to blogging and reading blogs.

In our years together (13) , and even though we are a world apart, JB has been an inspiration to me. She has gotten me involved with projects and books that have improved my life.

She comes up with all kinds of interesting ideas that have benefitted me, including writing courses or exercises, introduction to new authors, a stint at Weight Watchers where I lost and kept off 38 pounds, and a year long WP blog about life A World Apart (since we are almost exactly on opposite sides of the globe). And, she has the most interesting friends,

We FaceTime twice a week and chatter away about all that strikes us about our lives and the world.

So the Billboard stays blank, but the community is what it is all about. Will the prompts get any better? Hmmmm

Bridgesburning Bloganuary Day 5 The Past vs The Future

Daily writing prompt

Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?

View all responses

At my rather advanced age I have a much longer past than a potential future. 

But I think I have always thought more about the past. Not just my past but that of those who lived before me.

I got involved in a small genealogical study a few years ago, and loved it, but I found myself completely immersed in it for eighteen months. Those folk, long gone became part of my every day thinking.

I’ve thought about my parents past. Every time I pass Sunnyside School in Kitchener, I look at it, imaging what it was like when my father in 1929 walked up the front steps (no longer there), after crossing fields from their home on 4th Avenue. (now highway).

I know a fair bit about their history because when I was younger I asked the folks who experienced life then still lived.

Another aspect of aging is that one tends to ‘remember’ events, and not surprising, I often see those events from a different perspective, no doubt coloured by my own later life-experiences. For example, something I remember as a child, has a different perspective to it looking back as an adult. Seeing my mother, for example, doing or saying something when I was a child, and then remembering years later as an adult, and understanding more, seeing a broader picture of her as a young woman with five children under the age of six. That sort of thing.

I don’t think too much about the future. Our grandchildren will experience a far different world than we can even imagine. And while the aging tend to cling to the standards/traditions of the past, and mourn the loss of these things, the youth of tomorrow will just accept their world. And life will go on.

I like thinking about the past. There is a certain comfort in memories, though there are some that come in the night, called regrets, that we cannot change and must work on to get past.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

But all in all, at 76, I still have lessons I can, and do, learn from the past.

And on this day, in the present, I wish you well.

Bridgesburning: Bloganuary Day 4

Daily writing prompt

What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

View all responses

Ah The Gift. A. question that could stir thoughts of the ‘physical’ or ‘not physical’.

I ask myself, ‘What do I, or even people in general need? What would be the GREATEST gift?

See, the word greatest puts an emphasis not just on A gift, or a GOOD gift, but the GREATEST GIFT.

And that, requires some thought.

The greatest, something that cannot be surpassed in importance.

OK – I think….

Photo by Polina Kovaleva on Pexels.com

Acceptance, was the first word to come to mind. But then I realized Acceptance of all things is not desired. Let’s face it, some things are not acceptable.

My thoughts still return to Acceptance. Not what I or anyone does, but acceptance of me, the person. With all my blah blah blah…

Not to judge. Not to elevate self over another.

Oh, oh, at first this seemed like an easy question to answer. But.

No, I am sticking with Acceptance.

And so I wish you gentle acceptance of each other on this day.

Bloganuary Day 3 – What Colleges have you attended?

Daily writing prompt

What colleges have you attended?

View all responses

This is an interesting prompt and I know some participants have queried the why of it all.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The term is confusing because ‘College’ means something different around the world.

Here in Canada there are ‘colleges’ and universities. Universities have different Colleges on Campus. Colleges also refer to a separate post high school education as in Mohawk (Hamilton), Conestoga (Kitchener), and are diploma or certificate programs, and do not have undergrad or post grad programs (I think), though things are changing constantly.

Now, back in the day, (mine so think mid last century), I went into nursing. At that time we lived in residence in the hospitals for three years. University cities, think Toronto or London, did have university related nursing programs.

My additional training were programs from London Western University, but I did not attend full university.

My youngest son went to a high school called St. John’s College, and many private schools were also called Colleges.

So, not the best prompt WP and of course the best answer would be the only vaudeville line – the school of hard knocks.

At least that is what has come to mind today of Bridgesburning.

Bridgesburning – Bloganuary Day 2 : Do you Play in your daily life? What says playtime to me?

This question made me feel a bit like the Peter Pan character Robin Williams played in the movie ‘Hook”. A much maligned reel that I found entertaining. 

The character discovers he has forgotten how to play, and it is not until he remembers that a whole other world opens up for him. And I think that might be me, at least a little.

There is a certain enthusiasm/joy one feels that gives each day a lift. Playing as an adult might be more about the feeling of lightness. 

It has nothing to do with actual playing of games, and more to do with imagination, freedom of thought. Looking at the day through the eyes of a child. Seeing in a different light. 

I associate the idea of playtime more with imagining than with doing. Does that make sense? See, I think lying on the grass and watching cloud shapes is playtime.

I think the most difficult thing these days is to be in touch with our ‘inner’, our creativity. Unstructured, is another word I would use. You understand, I am speaking personally here. Probably different for everyone.

This was a good reminder to make playtime and playing a daily thing by setting aside some daydreaming time. That very thing we were told as children to stop doing.

One last bit; I think raucous laughter is also playtime. Hmmm Comedy is medicine, music is medicine, hence a musical comedy could also be playtime.

I started doing a bedtime routine by a blogging friend, who lists ten things at the end of each day. When I say ‘started’, I actually just started with last night being the first. Tonight, one of the ten will be playtime!

May you also find some playtime in this day!

Bloganuary Day 1 Following the Leader What is your greatest challenge?

Snow!

Today is notable not just for the first day of the new year, but because there is snow on the ground. For the first time this winter I awoke to white and cold. Not as much as this photo from a dozen or so years ago, but still.

I have subscribed to this fun-sounding WP activity – Bloganuary, but could not find what today’s prompt is, so I am following the leader (another blogger) who indicated the subject of the day is – What is your greatest challenge?  

At my advanced age there are reams of topics that could be discussed. But truthfully, my very biggest challenge, I mean the VERY biggest, is staying out of my own way.

A bit difficult to explain, and over-thinking something might make more sense, (or worse yet, those times when I under-think something.)

The idea of just letting things unfold naturally, or following instinct, is a tease.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Each year I make a list. Call it what you will (goals/intentions) it comes down to resolutions. Though that seems to be a bad word, in a way.

“Oh, I don’t make resolutions, they are intentions.”. You know. That sort of thing.

Anyway, I discovered that by writing them down, and revisiting the list about six months later, that I was making progress. Actually getting somewhere.

At the end of this year (which was just yesterday, btw), I felt like the whole of 2023 had been a failure. Two steps back sort of thing. And I really had no desire to revisit my original list.

BUT WHEN I DID – I found successes, and the one thing I thought had been a failure actually was just a – didn’t make my goal but did make progress.

So, my biggest challenge is not that I stopped doing something, or started doing something, or let impulse rule, but that I got in my own way. Perhaps made too much of something in my own mind.

It’s not on any list, (stay out of your own way), but it is present in thought. Along with thinking outside the box, trying something new, look at it differently.

My old blogging pal from 2011, Celi or Cecilia at the kitchensgarden has added a new perspective to her lists she calls the What Then Method and it has me thinking differently already.

And though there are specifics that can be measured, my motto for ’24 is quite simple:

I will find a way. and What then.

2024

123123 poetry

123123

There is a certain poetry to these numbers. A cadence that settles a restless soul. I like it.

I like New Years Eve alone. I bustled about changing bed linens, and tidying (sorry to all my Scottish relatives and friends who actually clean.). I have done that in the past but somehow this year it seemed unnecessary. Not sure why, except I am questioning the ‘necessity’ of anything these days.

I enjoyed the days of my youth where NY’s was spent partying and dancing, laughing, and eating. But now it is quiet I seek.

For the last few years I have set goals/intentions for the following year, and was quite surprised when they worked. Somehow, just stating a thing seems to make it happen. Probably an awareness thing.

There is a certain magic to NY’s Eve alone. A comfort. And of course at my almost advanced age (76) the idea of ‘in bed, asleep, and waking up to the NY sober and rested has great appeal. I found the joy of that decades ago. In my forties.

Whatever it means to you. If anything. I wish you a year of success, joy, and health. (believe me at 76 the health thing becomes so important.)