Yesterday my wife and I picked up our daughter
before the preschool’s scheduled naptime. She was so happy to see us because
she absolutely hates naps. We didn’t have any plans which required us to get
her earlier than normal, but as my wife explains it, going to preschool is Tavi’s
job, and everyone deserves an afternoon off now and then.
When we arrived home, Tavi was ready to take on her
day; her mom and I were ready to take a nap. And we did. I used to be very anti-nap
myself. I considered it a complete waste of an afternoon. How can I sleep when
there’s so much that needs to be done? Recently, however, I’ve reconsidered my
position on napping.
Joseph Campbell writes, “illumination cannot be
communicated.” For years, my wife tried to convince me that sleeping away the
afternoon actually increased her productivity. After all, she said, a
successful nap allows a person to reboot. Waking up from a nap is like a second
opportunity to seize the day. No matter. She couldn’t convince me. I had to
make this realization for myself. I couldn’t understand until I was ready to
understand.
Now I know, or at least I think I do, that being
truly awake requires the willingness to sleep.
When are you most awake?
“Compared to what we
ought to be, we are half awake.” – William James
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