Staying Awake

One of my Soul Vows (as taught by Janet Conner who wrote Writing Down Your Soul) is that I promise to stay awake. This was made clear to me as soon as I heard this poem by Hafiz, a 14th century Persion poet:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell.
Don't go back to sleep
You must ask for what you really want
Don't go back to sleep
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds meet
The door is round and open
Don't go back to sleep

For some reason, when I read this poem in January (2011) as part of one of Janet's online workshops, I was really moved by it. Something inside of me stood up and at attention. I realized that THIS was the reason for the many times I've backslid (ooohhh... is that a word?) out of a mindfulness practice, out of a journaling practice, out of any kind of practice that keeps me centered and focused and balanced and in the moment.

At many, many points in my life, I have been in a creative flow, in a flow of being present, of making healthy eating / caring for my body a priority...etc. Yet I have always GONE BACK TO SLEEP.

For me, what is helping me MOST to "stay awake" is the practice of Deep Soul Writing, as taught by Janet Conner. www.deepsoulwriting.com And also the practice of reciting my Soul Vows every morning (and at other points during the day as necessary).

Yesterday we went car shopping and that took the whole day, as well as grocery shopping. And Saturday was Lissy's birthday party (age 3!) so I haven't been focuses and "awake" a whole lot for a few days here. But I am also practicing self-kindness (another of my Soul Vows) which means I no longer beat myself up when I skip a day of a practice. That is making the hugest difference as well!