Community

You may be surprised at who else is awake at 4am. You may not know why you are awake, you just are. If you have already been asleep but from this point onwards you can’t get back to sleep it even has a name, terminal insomnia. There are plenty of reasons why we wake: a noisy bedmate, the dawn chorus, alcohol, a drop in the level of sleep hormone melatonin (this happens as we age) or maybe your sixth sense alerts you to something that is happening to someone you are close to. Whatever the reason, what a great time to send out some love and support to those that are awake too. Diverting our attention from ourselves and our efforts to get back to sleep, may even help us drift back off.  And what great vibes to put out there. Because isn’t it all those things that other people do that keep our lives running smoothly? From workers that sort our refuse, admin clerks that keep the appointment systems going, to campaigners that shift mountains to ensure a law that protects our human rights is passed. Let’s not forget the multitudinous number of volunteers in this country that pick up our litter, take a frail neighbour to a hospital appointment, comfort the dying, tend our places of heritage, or run venues in order to keep the arts alive. There is a whole network that knits us together forming a web of community and support, and we don’t have to benefit directly to still benefit.  They too may be awake at 4am, by choice or otherwise and will still fulfil their role in this beautiful network. Thank goodness for other people’s willingness and their reticence to complain. I know, sometimes even the willing complain all the way!

So as March marches on and Spring springs up around us, it sometimes feels like a cha cha with one step forward two steps back. The sun’s rays are finally feeling warm on our face but the heating has to be turned back up and we reach for our big coat again. The mornings are getting lighter but you and many others may just want a few more hours sleep. Remember, you are not alone.