Why is it so hard to rest?

Seriously, we’re all tired.

So why is it so dang hard to rest?

Now, in case you don’t know me - I am a rest QUEEN. I mean I love a nap in the hammock like nobody’s business. Give me a fuzzy blanket and a soft pillow and I’m al over it. Sheepskin throw under my feet? Bring it.

I enjoy rest so much that I have made a profession out of it as a Daring to Rest facillitator.

Yes, it’s official. I haven’t finished my college degree but I’m deep in nap wisdom.

All this to say - I still find myself resisting a-rest.

Why?

I mean what the hell is going on?

I’m an experienced rest professional. Shouldn’t this be easy by now?

Well, apparently not.

I struggle to rest!

And I have literally no excuses.

My job doesn’t get in the way - um, my job is teaching other people to rest.

My kids are all older and totally self sufficient.

I work part time at a yoga studio, where I check students in from the front couch in the lobby.

I live in a tiny town in the country so it very relaxed.

Traffic is a tractor going 25 in a 40.

So what gives?

I really had to consider this today.

Because the reality is that I’m not feeling as rested as I would like to and I honestly have a little anxiety that creeps up right before I lay down to rest.

Interesting, right?

Maybe you’d think I’ve got it all figured out already.

I mean I do have a mini audio experience entitled - A Well Rested Life. Go figure.

So here’s the dealio.

Resting in a chaotic, unpredictable, increasingly fast paced and non-sensical world is a lot to ask.

You can’t exactly turn off the noise. It’s twenty four seven go energy everywhere. We’re all conneceted through interwebs and the massive amount electrical wires and signals enveloping the planet.

No wonder it’s hard to rest. especially if you’re highly sensitive like I am.

So what do you do?

Well first of all. Accept it. Yup. just accept it.

Say yes - shitshow - I see you.

That right there gave me a huge relief and released a few pounds.

You remember that serenity prayer? The one from the twelve steps recovery?

“God (insert higher power or whatever if that word bothers you) grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. “

Aha!

This is the key right here.

First we’ve got to just let it be.

Press the pause button.

Then you’ve got to call up some courage.

Courage? Yes, it takes courage to rest!

When you slow down to rest, things will look different. Some things will look better and some things that you might have rather kept hidden will reveal themselves.

So you need some courage.

Rest allows us to awaken to our feelings. And I ain’t gonna lie - sometimes that can be a little scary.

That’s why we call it Daring to Rest.

Behind the nap is a vehicle for self discovery. That’s bold.

Self knowing is a portal to truth, clarity, power and embodied wisdom.

Maybe my problem is that I know too much. Maybe I’d be better off if I just thought it was a nap.

Did I tell you too much?

The thing is sleep is a regenerator, a cleanser, a healer. Intentional rest is transformation.

And it’s F-R-E-E.

In a world full of derangement, dis-ease, and exhaustion - we’d be foolish not to nourish ourselves with Mother Nature’s free medicine.

Speaking of Mother, a good rest is like being held in the arms of a loving mother.

She softens everything.

So even though I resist like an overtired toddler sometimes, I know that I actually am longing for the soft strong arms of the Mother.

Eventually, I surrender and let the serenity take me over.

I stop - my mind, my body, my constant cravings - and I let go.

I settle into the rhythm of my breath and I let the sacred ground hold me.

I come home.