He’s right. Sleep is easier. No wonder so many people are into it.
What’s the first thing that happens when you wake up?
You probably feel grumpy, disorientated. Maybe you’re angry at whatever it was that woke you up – your partner, your alarm clock.
You were in a lovely dream-world. You were at rest. The needy demands of your body were quiet.
But now you’re awake. And now they’re here, at full volume – the ache in the back, the knees, the hunger, the feelings of inadequacy…
…the listlessness around your ankles like lead.
Things were better when you were asleep weren’t they?
Growing up is a journey of a 1000 waking ups.
At every stage of our growth, we have to wake up into a new way of being, a new understanding of the world.
We must wake up and realise that our parents don’t control the world and can’t protect us from everything.
We must wake up and realise that we are not the centre of the universe and we have to work hard and support ourselves like everyone else.
We must wake up and see that ideals like justice, fairness, reason – the world has a passing commitment to these at best, and it’s nothing less than a miracle that the human race keeps it shit together at all.
And then there is the greater waking up…
But each time we wake up, it’s the same. We’re disorientated and agitated. We’re angry at whatever woke us up. We long to go back to sleep.
It’s not easy. It’s why some many people choose sleep…
… their whole lives.
But if you are seeing this video, then you are probably walking the path of courage. I congratulate you for that.
And I wish you strength, because sleep is a lot easier than what you’ve got in store for you.
And I wish you a good sense of humour, because everything is about to start looking pretty odd.
And I wish you companionship, because it can be lonely too.
But you’re not alone. There are many people doing the best they can to live courageously and consciously. Cherish them when you find them.
But this above all, don’t go back to sleep.
When the alarm clock in your soul starts ringing, answer.
… however hard it feels.
Baby Z says
We need a new Alison Rose Pulford and Michael