Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Wednesday Wish (13)


The first time I did it, I was ashamed of myself. The second time I did it, I realized how much I liked it. And after that, it just took a little bit of time before it became an almost regular part of my day. But let’s back up the truck, shall we?

It was a hot day, the air so thick with sea mist that the fan above my head seemed to cut it into juicy slices, each one falling, weighted, onto my shiny sun-kissed skin. I watched a gecko scramble up the side of the wall and behind a picture. A tiny spider hung from a bit of web in the corner. I’ll just lie down for a little bit. Not a second, really. More like a moment to just soak up this new world that is so different than what I am used to. After all, back home they are probably shivering beside a fire. The least I can do is enjoy this heat, right?

          A half hour later, there was a knock at my door. 
          “Brynne—you there?”
          I blinked my eyes open in disbelief. What? Had I fallen asleep? How embarrassing to answer the door with sleepy eyes and a wrinkled face. What will my new friends think of me? I splashed some water on my face and dashed for the door. “Coming!”
          “Did we wake you? Were you taking a nap?”
          “What, me? (nervous laughter) No, no. A nap? Oh no, I have far too many things to do. I was just— Here, come in...“
           
In most parts of the modern industrialized world, naps are reserved for toddlers and grandparents. Maybe the rest of us might take a lone nap after Thanksgiving dinner when our stomachs demand it, or on Christmas Day after all the dishes are done and everyone is busy with their new toys, but not on any old normal day, unless we are sick. Naps are lazy, unmotivated, directionless—all the things that go against the very fiber of modernity, capitalism, good business, even the noble idea of a hard working individual. Right?! 

Na, ah ah, she says with her finger shaking up high in the air. We got it all wrong. Speaking from experience (many years experience I might add), I can confidently say that what most of us think about naps is a bunch of hogwash. Naps are, in fact, a necessary nutrient for an imagination-rich life. They feed our brains, our spirits, our souls. They make us more effective, more aware, more alive. And not only that, naps are a luxury that all of us can afford, a simple magic that each and every human being of any age, deserves to enjoy. And often, too.


*          *          *
My Wednesday Wish for You?

To take a nap this week. At least one. And not for long. Maybe twenty to thirty minutes, time anyone can spare. I have a friend who used to bring a pillow to work and curl up whenever she needed it--in her case, under her desk. And she worked in a bank! So find your nap space anywhere you can, anywhere that feels right. Put your worries, your stresses, your deadlines and requirements on pause. Let go of what you think matters to escape for a minute into yourself and into your body, that vessel that houses your magnificent soul. Daydream if you must. But make an effort to rest that mind of yours. Soak up the air, feel your breath give life to your body, and enjoy your luxurious time out. For believe you me, when you find your right dose of nap, things seem to realign, to make better sense, and to somehow grow our days just a little bit more magic.



24 comments:

Muriel said...

I am dreaming of taking a nap...Where I come from, you nap between 1 and 3 pm. I miss it. I must give it a try...

Chronicles of Illusions said...

I sincerely think napping should be compulsory - somedays more than others. :)

Anonymous said...

I am going to take a nap one day this week... Why is that I feel I need permission? Thank you, Brynne. :-)

Brynne said...

Ooo...yes, please do give it a try, Muriel. I bet your ancestors will be nodding their approval and cursing modernity's ignorance of the soul:)

Brynne said...

Thats funny, Jo. Its true, though...I often meet people who either need a hug or a nap and sometimes I wish I could give them both! When did we stop listening to our real needs? Silly us.

Brynne said...

Coco...I believe many of us think we need permission to give ourselves what we truly need. You aren't alone. 'Suck it up and drive on' has been a motto of sorts for a lot of people...and when everyone else is following that motto, its hard to take a time out for yourself. Its in our nature to want to keep up with the pack. We are social beings. We just need to be strong enough to honor our soul's needs regardless of what our surroundings say...not an easy task. I hope you give yourSelf that gift this week, dear Coco. I am cheering for you from afar!:)

Jodi Aman said...

I thin I will take a nap. I accept your challenge! I will be in the Adirondacks, s I'll have no excuse! Or meditate with me in November!
http://healnowandforever.net/give-me-a-break-21-day-meditation-challenge/
Love, Jodi, new twitter pal! <3

KLT said...

Agreed! I napped regularly when I was pregnant & found it wonderful! I need both Brynne- a nap & a hug. :) I do take naps though... just not as regularly as I should. I agree -it's definitely creative fuel.... Hope you had a good nap & hug today!

Brynne said...

Hooray! Glad you accept my challenge, Jodi! Look forward to checking out your meditation challenge! Thanks for sharing! And thanks for the twitter connection, too!:)

Brynne said...

Oh, Kristin...soOo good to find your words and kind heart here! I still haven't had a nap today but am hopeful I will be able to! What about you? Wishing I could take the wheel from you to give you a nap and of course I'd start your dreamy ascent with a hug! With bonus giggles. Miss you!

Anonymous said...

Naps made me what I am today! If they were good enough for me as a young Pirate they're good enough for me now. I tend to be a professional napper. :-)

It seems crazy to me, that people take better care of their cars than themselves. They fear to nap, for being seen as lazy. People often feel the need to do something all the time, every waking moment. So few it seems, are comfortable enough with themselves, that they allow themselves time each day, to simply sit. To watch, to think, to stare out into the world, inside them or out. Allowing yourself a nap or calming your life enough to simply sit and do nothing, is a wonderful way to realize what a joy life is.

Debra said...

We should never outgrow naps. And, if we don’t feel inclined to nod out, then take five to revive! Take at least five minutes out of the day for “quiet time.”
Funny you should bring this subject up. I’m writing a story about the time my Samuel announced that he’d outgrown nap time. And I said to him, “Fine. But we all need a little R & R, so curl up and take it easy for a spell.”

I embrace your Wed. wish, and will revisit my naptime soon ;-)
Besides, I like to see what dreams may come.

Brynne said...

I absolutely LOVE what you said here, John. All of it! Its so very true about taking better care of our cars than ourselves. Silly, but true. Having the peace within to be able to sit and do nothing is rare and yet the potential is always there. And the gifts...oh, the gifts...if non-nappers only knew:) Thank you, John. So nice to have you here. Do you think Sara is having a nap right now? I hope so...and that she has a smile upon her face.

Brynne said...

Ooo...cannot wait to read your story, Debra! I already know I will love it! Do you find inspiration when you sleep/rest/dream? I know I do. I really just couldn't function as well without my down time. Its as if its the only time the swirling electrons are able to find where they belong, the only time the magic I have ingested during the day, is able to find the softest parts in my heart and to make sense. Life just isn't as clear without my quiet, revival time. "What dreams may come..." ahhh..such a lovely phrase, dear soul. Thank you.

Dane said...

delightful! and such a great photo. I'm a light sleeper, and I try not to take naps, only because then I don't fall asleep as readily at night, and it's important I stick to my sleep schedule. Conceptually, though, I'm on board! I think meditation for me creates that space for imagination and renewal in my life.

I enjoyed this piece!

Anonymous said...

Brynne, it is for thoughtful, self-care-drenched posts such as this that we are giving you the Liebster Blog award! :-)

You can catch the details - and your award - at http://www.flab-to-fab.com. :-)

Love and light,
Hot Coco & Foxy Coxy

Brynne said...

SoOo happy to have you here, Dane! I think meditation time is in the same family...time out for our deeper Selves, the gift of quiet. And like you say, filllllled with the gift of space for imagination and renewal. Yay! What a delight you are!

Brynne said...

HOT COCO and FOXY COXY....soOoo honored!! Thank you!! I will be right over! What a wonderful surprise to brighten up my Thursday! Hoooray!:)

Betty said...

Love it. Living in the Dominican Republic banished all nap-guilt from my conscience. Now I take them shamelessly and with ne'er an apology. You hit the nail on the head: they are a "necessary nutrient" indeed!

Brynne said...

Latin America is what did it for me, too, Betty. Something about a whole country/land mass doing something luxurious makes it whole lot easier to join in, no?:) Anything like siestas in Tanzania??

Bella said...

Brynne, having a Spanish mother meant I grew up participating in "siesta time." Every afternoon, when we got home from school, we were expected to lay down for thirty minutes. When I grew up and had my own kids, I continued the tradition. To this day, I'm convinced it's the reason my kids were always so healthy. Naps allowed them to restore their energy and served to fortify their immune system. So yes, I'm all about naps. Believe it or not, the Significant Other and I always take naps on weekends. It's our part of weekend ritual. :) Come by my blog and see me! I miss you!

brenda said...

B-First, get photo of guy in wagon. I am not a napper, unless I am sick. Although I do unplug from the world and close my mind off to inputs. This is as close as I come to sleeping during the day. When I don't disconnect (like today) I feel it in the pit of my stomach, as I do now. I am not inspired, which is not good for me because my writer's soul needs to soar. Sometime in the next couple of hours I will need to recharge. As always, your words remind me to think of myself and nurture. Hugs, sweet woman.

Brynne said...

Bella...I LOVE your story! I am sure you are right, too! And I love the idea of your weekend ritual! What a lovely, decadent treat to look forward to every week! FUNN! Be right over to your blog...I miss you, toOO!!!:)

Brynne said...

I'm so happy you liked the picture, Brenda! It was taken right here in our little town. He was taking a nap right near the plaza in the middle of the day! LOVED it! I think unplugging, like meditation, is really the essence of napping...as in, doing it, helps us fill up the tanks that get consumed with the stress of daily life. You are so in touch with yourself that you feel an ache to disconnect, to recharge, in the pit of your stomach. You know that resting is the best way for you to find your natural spring of inspiration again. LOVE that, Brenda! Thank you for sharing, for always brightening my day with your heartfelt thoughts.