Sleepless Nights

Ever since I can remember I've had trouble sleeping at night. There are some nights where I just fall asleep and stay asleep until the alarm clock goes off the next morning. But this doesn't happen that often. I have a very active brain that never seems to sleep, which is a bad thing because science suggest that the brain needs sleep for the body to function well. It also comes in handy if you have to operate heavy machinery. Fortunately for me, the heaviest equipment that I have to operate most days is my laptop. Last week I tried some herbal supplements intended to "help calm, reduce nervous tension and aid relaxation." The box also said that, if used as directed, it would not cause drowsiness the following day. This was not my experience however. The two nights I used the supplement I woke up extremely drowsy. I had a very relaxing rest, but I can't say that my mind actually slowed down. I felt like I was in a coma - my mind was still fully functional but my body was at rest. 

So why am I writing this post at 5AM? Because I had another one of those 'sleepless nights'. What's going through my brain at all hours of night, you ask? Here's a random list:

• How can we change our economic models to foster more partnership and collaboration; a model that doesn't just focus on making a profit, but on making our communities and societies better places for all?
• What would be required of government and it's citizens to get most people off welfare, so they can contribute productively to society and their own self-esteem?
• How would my knowledge of the impact of my personal decisions on others change how I behaved or acted? What if freedom of choice was inextricably linked to responsibility for those choices? What if I had no one to blame but myself for my current situation?  
• What am I going to have for breakfast when I wake up?
• If I were to write a book, what would it be about? Then, I spend hours thinking of what I would write without actually getting out of bed and writing it down. 
• Am I doing enough to be a good husband, brother, son, friend, co-worker, and leader in the places where I find myself. 
• What would I do if I were President or Prime Minister - how might doing those things now change my situation? The situation of others?

I could go on. Needless to say, most of my thoughts aren't just fleeting. They get stuck in my head and rattle around. The more I read, work, and encounter others, the more ideas and thoughts get piled up in my head. So I'm grateful for this blog and being able to post what's going on. Who knows, maybe if I have enough sleepless nights these sort of thoughts might end up doing some good.    

Comments

[Mark Keown]

Yo. Nice words Joel. I too wake early often. Difference is, I always sleep well up to that point. So, what you going to write the book on? Mark,