Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Pre-emptive Sleeping

Isn't this a nice phrase? A co-worker of my at the church said it: "pre-emptive sleeping." It took an hour to get home from work yesterday, 1 and 1/2 miles, but I kid you not. It took (okay) really 45 minutes. Still. I was getting a migraine by the time I got home. And I needed to go back to church for a leadership board meeting. But I decided to go home early. I had the early-morning matins service this morning. And my co-worker, who was also still at the church, called my action "pre-emptive sleeping."

I had another headache today, more the tension variety, while driving in traffic after taking my mom to a doctor' appointment. My body may be trying to tell me something. I am trying to listen.

I have been praying and trying to imagine the unimaginable suffering in places like Myanmar and in China. It is almost too vast. It is overwhelming.

And then there are the little things that keep me thinking, and praying: a wayward neice, a suffering co-worker, the gruesome road repairs right here in my neighborhood, and the times when it seems that all the roads that lead forward are closed.

"Pre-emptive sleeping" -- not a retreat from the world, but a way to be refreshed to work and to hope another day.

P.S. I would like to recommend to you that you visit two "new" (or perhaps, relocated) blogs: Dog and God, where the Typist is finding a renewed voice, and Still Fruity, where Rowan's guardian now shares her unique slants on life, and God. Have some fun. But, also, get some sleep. Tomorrow, again, we have good work to do.

9 comments:

Jan said...

My daughter MJ calls that "power naps." She can do it, but I don't know how.

BTW, I tagged you for a strangely familiar meme.

Barbara B. said...

My college friend always called them "SNAPS" (i.e. Short NAPS)

Fran said...

Oh I like that saying. That is good.

And yes- the thought of the suffering is beyond our comprehension, God have mercy.

I have been sitting in my classes, especially the scripture study and really wishing you were at my side.

Pat has been doing the advanced scripture on the Gospel of John. It is mind blowing.

Fran said...

Oh -and I forgot to tell you that I have something for you on my blog today.

Lindy said...

I am SO glad that the typist is blogging again. She must be brilliant! And thanks to the link to my fruity world.

Good luck with your pre-emptive sleeping. That sounds so much more sophisticated than dozing off during the evening news like the rest of us.

gartenfische said...

I get migraines, too, and they definitely tell me when something's off kilter. In that way, they can be a blessing (but one of those horrible blessings!).

Yes, get some sleep!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I know a technique for tension headaches (not migraines, just tension headaches). Hold your left hand out straight. With the thumb and index finger of your right hand, feel around in the webbing between the thumb and fingers of the left hand until you find a sore spot. Rub it firmly with the thumb till the pain lessens. Your tension headache should ease too.

And if that doesn't work, pre-emptive napping sounds like a great idea.

Anonymous said...

Pre-emptive sleeping--great idea! I hope you feel better.

June Butler said...

Whatever you call it, the daytime sleeping is beyond me. It doesn't happen. The good news is that in retirement, I don't feel the need of it very often. Yay!

Diane, I fear you push yourself, my friend. Listen to your body. Sometimes it speaks wisdom.