"The mind is very powerful, and never loses its creative force.
It never sleeps. Every instant it is creating."
A Course In Miracles
We want to ask who you've been sleeping with lately. And we also want to ask what you've been sleeping with. It is good to be extremely selective in this area, for far too often you have allowed into your bed those who have tormented you all night long. You need to be much more assertive in throwing out those who are not making your nights sweeter and more gloriously restful and renewing. Yes, often it is not so much a case of who you are sleeping with as it is who you are tossing and turning with all night long. And though it is only in your mind, they often are more present with you than the body of a person who IS physically there next to you.
We watch so many of you bring into your bed the co-worker whom you have grievances with, the political leader whom frightens you, the financial situation that is out of your control, the friends of your son who are living a life you do not approve of, the uncertain future of this or that, the mother who is starting to show signs of decline . . . it goes on an on.
P r o g r a m Y o u r M i n d
Disinviting those who are not helping you sleep is very important, but as with ALL the tools we give you, being proactive from the start is a much better way to live. Because of this it is much better to spend some time as you are getting ready to drift off to sleep consciously setting the tone for your slumber. Just who and what are you inviting into your bed? Remember that the time when you are drifting off to sleep is the very BEST time to begin programming your subconscious mind with positive, soothing and uplifting thoughts. It already uses that time to do tremendous healing work on your body. This is the ideal time to give it a job to do while you retreat to the Higher Realms in which We download new programs and miracle mindsets to you.
Perhaps you have seen a "dead" body in a casket and heard people say, "Oh, he looks so peaceful." Of course, because there is no one in there tormenting the body anymore.! We suggest that you stop tormenting your body with your thoughts as well, but there is no need to "die" in order for that to happen. It happens by gently programming the mind to move in a positive direction. The time just before sleep is a POWERFUL time to do so. You may listen to recordings that soothe you to sleep or you could memorize or read some affirmations each night just before bed. Brother Jacob has a wonderful "bedtime prayer" in his book "Invocations" which you could use if you don't already have one.
As you become more diligent about who you are sleeping with each night, you will find that you wake in the morning delighted to see a new day, with gratitude and optimism vibrating through your mind - not immediately, but with consistent practice. It is all cumulative and it all will make a wonderful positive difference. Start where you are. Start today.