Photos taken by my son. I've never been to Florida. The bird life look fascinating.
Thought for the day: we talk a lot in Blogland about positive thinking. I believe in it and regard it as a suit of armour one can don to protect against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. But what when one wakes in the middle of the night and the armour is on the chair by the bed and one is beset by doubts and fears before there is time to reach out. What then? Is there a chain mail sleep wear?
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25 comments:
What then? You go back to sleep, of course! Count sheep or mind your breath. No doubt the armor will be back on its rightful place in the morning.
Very nice pics, by the way.
It is at times of uncertainty that we look deep within ourselves for comfort, and that comfort may come from recalling the good deeds we have performed for others.
Take courage and strength dear lady, for in you I see a wonderful person who radiates nothing but goodness. Sleep well.
No chain mail sleep wear, but practical strategies can help. I focus on relaxing my body, regulating my breathing and counting my blessings. If that doesn't work, I get up, drink tea and occupy myself until I'm ready to sleep again. Sending hugs, and I hope you have a good weekend x
Oh, and also: I sometimes think about all the times and places when I've wished I was safe and warm in my bed, rather than e.g. stuck in an interminable traffic jam, or doing something tedious and dutiful when I'm not feeling 100%, or waiting at a bus stop in the cold and rain. That helps to turn my views around and make me glad for what I have. It may be Pollyanna-ish but it works for me!
A times like this (and there are many) I imagine myself lying on a beach, alone, sun shining, ever so gentle breeze and the waves lapping gently on the shore. (A bit dangerous when I'm hurtling down the M7 though!) :¬)
xxx
Oh, I can talk lots about this, I'm a great believer in positive thinking, and I am the biggest scaredy-cat you can ever meet.
Positive thinking is not permanent. It's not as if, once you start to think positively, that habit stays with you forever. There will always be doubts, fears. But the good thing about positive thinking is that you can, eventually work your way out of the fears, rather than dwell with them forever.
I love these other comments, I will try to follow the suggestions :-)
Ahhh, Florida, one of my favourite places.
Lovely photos Pat, and I know what you mean about waking in the night and finding all positive feelings seemingSeemingly a float. I have been having a few of them myself just lately.
Sending you a little love.
One thing I had to constantly remind myself when I was a wake every night for a couple of hours, was it is completely the wrong time to make any decisions or to try and solve any problems.
If absolutely necessary, write it down and then you can deal with it in the clear light of day when you've had breakfast and a cup of tea. In the meantime, focus on the breathing, and each time you realise you've wandered back to the thoughts, you let go and focus on the breathing again.
Eventually you can condition yourself to let go of the midnight fears
((hugs))
I wish that there were such a thing. I need one for sure. Lovely photos.
UB,Warden,Queenie, Mapstew, GG, and Kim: I have taken on board all you have said and find myself with - at very least - a comfort blanket which I know will help. Thank you.xoxoxoxox
Madame.D and LOM: you are welcome to borrow my comfort blanket - or share it.
I really like the photo taken from the steps. Your son captured a beautiful time of day where the colours were gorgeous.
Hope your nights are more peaceful :)
Luna: thank you. I'm not sure whether it's night or morn.
He took lovely photos! I haven't been in FL in quite a few years.
I'm guessing it's the Atlantic side, as the bird isn't covered in oil. You wouldn't like Florida at this time of year, it's so humid the air is like treacle. As for the midnight heebie jeebies - I try to name all 27 of the EU member states. There's always a few I can never remember, so that worries me enough to take my mind off what was originally worrying me.
Judy: this was 2003. He's going again next month.
Daphne: sounds like a good ploy provided I choose a subject I know more about:)
The 3am Gyps are a constant companion to me. The one consolation is that whatever it is I'm worrying about
(a) Won't be a surprise;
(b) I may already have resolved it;
(c) Might never happen; and
(d) If it did happen I'd be able to think: "told you so."
Then I realise that's four consolations, not one and I start to worry that not being able to count up to four is the precursor for something fearful. Like becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Kevin: we should start a 'three o' clock club'.
What gets me is that for years I thought I'd got it licked and I could physically chase unwelcome thoughts away - a yoga like ability. Then suddenly - in the middle of the night - defences down, it creeps up on you unawares.
Ah well! Back to the drawing board.
2:30 am, 3:00 am...that's the terrible time indeed. Scientists should do a research on this.
G: when I was a nurse on night duty we always reckoned patients were at their most vulnerable between 2am and 3am.
Oh, do I know what you mean, Pat...And you put it so well....
Sometmes I wake up and the doubys and fear are Right There, as if waiting to pounce on me---And, as you said, my suit of armour is over on the chair, or sometimes, completely out of the room!
Naomi: I found the comments on his post very helpful - I hope you do also.
Hi Pat. I think my last comment didn't go through, so I'm posting it again.
Just a thought about your 'defenses down' moments. Maybe during the bright daylight hours you could think about what you love about the night (starry skies, hooting owls, gentle sleeping breaths of loved ones, and happy peaceful dreams).
The next time you wake up in the middle of the night, draw these thoughts to you, hold them to your heart to banish any dark thoughts. Just might work. :)
Luna: thank you. I had occasion to put it into practice last night and then slept till 8.20 am. It is a time of uncertainty for us so we have to grin and bear it.
:) Hang in there. Sending positive thoughts to you all the way from sunny Trinidad :)
Thank you Luna:)
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