Get out of bed!

Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Because you must... to go to work, or school, or to care for your family, maybe cooking breakfast, or make coffee? We do tend to get up because we have to, don’t we? We rarely get out of bed because we want to, do we? And would you really sleep all day if you could? One social media wag has suggested that he can’t get out of bed. That his blankets have accepted him as one of their own, and if he leaves at that moment, he may lose their trust.

Amusing, and an excuse of sorts, but I doubt that any boss would accept it as a reason for not going to work, would they? American poet Charles Bukowski, does hint at less amusing perspectives, and the genuine challenges that many face in today’s societies, writing: “The courage it took, to get out of bed each morning to do the same things, over and over, was enormous.” He could have been referring to those suffering from depression, those in repetitive, assembly line type jobs, those in toxic workplaces, those suffering from bullying or harassment, those with money troubles, anyone doing exams or tests, or suffering under unfair expectations.

But again, genuinely, if we don’t deal with those kind of challenges. If we are oppressed by them... they will still be there tomorrow! The pessimists among us would say that to get out of bed every day is a demonstration of your strength of character, and purpose, but I believe that’s a really low bar to set, and if that’s the extent of your ambition and enthusiasm you are wasting an almighty opportunity. Did you get that wordplay there? Nora Roberts is a romantic, and an author of over 200 romantic novels. She says: “If you don’t go after what you want, you will never have it, and if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.” She is adamant that if you don’t take the first step, your destination will not only not get closer, but will get further away.

In balancing romanticism with reality, Roberts is taking off the rose-tinted glasses many wear.

Most of us would say yes, we could stay in bed and sleep all day. Yet the reality is that it, bed, would soon lose its attraction after a while wouldn’t it? Your pillows would stop being comforting, you would get thirsty, or hungry, and the bedclothes don’t feel the same when they have been overused, do they? I love the smell and feel of fresh bedding myself... but I digress. Why would you want to stay in bed when there is another day God gave us to celebrate and enjoy, another day to do what you want with, and another day to share? Finding purpose, finding what matters to us, and for many of us, that’s what matters to those around us can keep us ‘on track,’ and give us the ‘why (?)’ to our lives. Why we live, love, work and play! Speaking of those around us, we can’t share our beds with everyone, so we must get out and about! Our relationships with others determine whether our lives are good, are positive, or not. The thing is, that we do tend to take our strongest relationships for granted, and as much as we offer joy and personality to new relationships, we must be careful, and caring, to nurture these foundations of who we are, have become, and will be in the future. Lose the phone and openly engage, don’t do TV, but talk, and take the time to re-engage with those you may have allowed to fall by the wayside.

Love yourself, body and soul, and in loving yourself the best version of you will emerge consistently, and your relationships will be so much better... and it all starts with just getting out of bed... Who knew huh?