So let’s take one piece of the section from the last blog and talk about exactly how the practice of gratitude would help, in a practical way, allieviate a common problem…

64 million Americans suffer regularly from insomnia each year.  Most Americans suffer from insomnia at one time or another in their lives.  I’ve suffered from insomnia. It’s terrible not being able to go to sleep especially when you know you have to get up early and you have a big day in front of you. 

I remember the toughest thing was that I could not turn off my mind. I kept mulling over all the things that were left undone, or what I may have said wrong, or what someone else did to me.  One thought led to another and to another and, before I knew it, I was wide awake laying in a pool of sweat.

In addition to making some nutritional adjustments, (like cutting out sugar and caffeine at night and adding supplements) the biggest piece of the puzzle that helped me…and continues to help me…is that old fashioned advice about counting your blessings instead of sheep.  (Click here to hear the old crooner sing that fabulous old song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RQ98Fj_CFI )

Bing was right.  Counting…or focusing on…what’s good in our lives puts our mind at ease.  We begin to feel like our life is good…that the universe is smiling on us and all is well.  That feeling allows us to relax the troubles of the day, so that we can relax and fall asleep.

So try it tonight.  While you are getting ready for bed, start making a list in your head of the things for which you are grateful for that day.  And then, continue focusing on the good in your life as you climb into bed and lay your head down on your pillow.  Keep going with the gratitude.  It could be the littlest thing…the softness of your pillow, the warmth of your blanket, the fact that your kids are safe in their beds…or perhaps the fact that you have a roof over your head and a warm, dry place to sleep in at night.

As always, let me know how it goes…

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I am grateful for the day I got to spend one-on-one with one of my daughters yesterday. How good it is to connect on that level.

I am grateful for the  new friend my daughter is making.

I am grateful for technology and the opportunity to share my understanding and experience in this way.

I am grateful the stars tonight and how brightly they shine.