Words That Help Me Sleep – 5 Minutes of Gratitude Nerdiness

There are words that help me sleep.

Not always the same words, but words I’ve gathered through the day.

I’m a word nerd in the worst way. I collect words. When I hear a phrase that stirs my soul, I write it down because I’m afraid I’ll lose it, especially now that my mind is sixty years old and perhaps less agile than it was decades ago.

I grab my phone and save something brilliant from a podcast on my notepad, or I use my Remarkable 2 to jot down something I know I don’t want to forget (And by the way, I’m grateful every day for my Remarkable 2. If you want someone to buy you the coolest gift in the world, ask for one.)

And here’s a trick I’ve learned for using some of those words. I want to share this because it works.

If you’re like me, sleep is sometimes elusive. Our brains run at top speed at exactly the moment we’d like our thoughts to slow down and relax.

So try this:

Every night before you head to bed, write down one phrase you heard or read today, one affirmation you recall, one kind thing someone said (maybe it was you), one poem, or one line from a poem. Choose something that struck you as hopeful, words that express generosity or gratitude, or even, if I dare say it, MAGIC.

Write your phrase-of-the-day on a post-it or a slip of paper or even on the receipt from that cup of coffee you bought on your way to work this morning. Write it down and take it to bed with you and read it one more time before you go to sleep.

Say those powerful and encouraging words to yourself, and if you have someone in bed with you, feel free to share them with that person.

Go to sleep with words that give you love, kindness, and possibilities rather than words from the news source on your tablet or your task list from tomorrow or your frustration with your boss. Or your kids or your spouse.

It could well be the best 5 minutes of gratitude nerdiness you’ve ever given yourself.

If you’re like me, it will help you sleep.

Here are my words from last night, especially the last line, which reads:

“Only if there are angels in your head will you ever, possibly, see one.”

Mary Oliver is always a good choice.

The World I Live In

I have refused to live
locked in the orderly house of
reasons and proofs.
The world I live in and believe in
Is wider than that. And anyway,
what’s wrong with Maybe?

You wouldn’t believe what once or
twice I have seen. I’ll just
tell you this:
only if there are angels in your head will you
ever, possibly, see one.

• • •

Here are a few others you’re welcome to borrow:

From Seth Godin: “Create delight before it’s expected.”

From Ellen Gilchrist: “Go back to a time in your life when people were kind and generous and funny and tell that story.” (This is a paraphrase – I can’t find the actual quote, but this is how I remember it.)

Brene Brown: “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”

James Baldwin: “Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by those doing it.”

And Mary Oliver again, the line we all know and love: “When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.”