Winning Words 3/2/12
“When I’m worried and cannot sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep.” (Irving Berlin) I’ve read that insomnia is the most common adult sleep disorder. 1/3 of the U.S. population doesn’t sleep well. I recently came across a list of 42 things to do if you can’t go to sleep. For example: Take a warm bath, eat milk and cookies, don’t watch TV. I like I.B.’s suggestion best…”Count your blessings.” ;-) Jack

FROM JAYFOR: When I can't sleep, I figure it's God's way of saying, "We need to talk." (But I don't have chronic insomnia -- just the occasional restless night.)////FROM JACK: I like that. In teaching kids about prayer, I sometimes put an empty chair in front of them, saying, "Talk to God just like he's a friend sitting in that chair."

FROM RS IN MICHIGAN: Ahhhhh, from my all time favorite movie. White Christmas. My kids and I can recite almost the whole movie. I definitely have many blessings to count. Too many to finish before falling asleep! ////FROM JACK: As you know, the song continues with Bing singing, "and I fall asleep, counting my blessings." You can probably sing it right now.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: It's definitely a problem for me. I read and pray and count my blessings. It's a very nice song too!////FROM JACK: A priest friend went to Rome and had a personal audience with the Pope. He gave me a rosary that had been blessed by the Pope during that visit. Many people use rosaries as an aid for praying. Books and the Berlin song are aids, too.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: i have this quirk, (some would say one of many). i hum/sing a "theme song" each day. thanks for today's song. it's a good one!////FROM JACK: Adding to my quirks....Seeing if I can give a response which will match the one given by you. Next week I'll be putting Jim Croce's song in your head.

ROM MY LAWYER: If I had insomnia, I could count all night! Thanks for sharing this with me. The only even round of golf I ever played was while I was having an MRI.////FROM JACK: You're the only person I know of who goes to sleep and dreams of golf in the tube.

FROM MEDD-O-LANE: I find that reliving my blessing when I am having trouble sleeping is to turn on the radio with an automatic turn off and listen to music of the past that reminds me of my blessing. In no time I have gone back to sleep and with pleasant dreams.////FROM JACK: In Detroit a program of "dreamy" music would come on at midnight. It was called, "Night Flight," and sound effects would simulate a plane taking off with the announcer as the pilot. The flight would go to various spots with music appropriate to the location. Sometimes I'd go to sleep and not wake up until the plane was landing.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: I work w/a lovely Catholic woman who gives me quarterly "Living in Faith" booklets. One of the prayers asks God to please grant a good night's sleep, but "if I am wakeful... if you wish to tell me anything, may I listen carefully." Some interesting thoughts have come to mind in those wee hours. ////FROM JACK: In our community five Christian churches get together on the Wednesdays of Lent for a Soup Supper and a brief Prayer Service, alternating locations. This week we were at the Catholic Church and the priest led us in a very moving responsive table prayer.

FROM ME IN NEWPORT BEACH: Always good advice. Life is short, blessings are many. I was trying to think of who in my family has trouble sleeping...not many. I copy Marilyn as she sometimes has trouble; and Nok, as a new Mother, never gets enough.////FROM JACK: I remember a song for singing when sleep won't come. "Thank you, Lord, for hearing me, Thank you, Lord, for knowing who I am. Thank you, Lord, for seeing me. It's so easy to get lost these days in the shuffle and the noise."

FROM LP IN PLYMOUTH: I'd love to know the other 39 on that list. Usually I try to tackle the thing that's hanging over me and keeping me up, though it's not always possible. Prayer can help. I took to reciting the Lord's Prayer when late nights with the baby turned to my insomnia (worries magnify at 2 a.m.). Oddly, when all else fails I read the Bible. More than any other reading material, that will put me out.////FROM JACK: I have a box of old sermon tapes, if you are interested. Yes, problems seem to magnify themselves in the nighttime. Recently I saw a TV program on the brain which spoke to things like that.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: The best cure for insomnia is a good night's sleep.////FROM JACK: “I think insomnia is a sign that a person is interesting.” (Avery Sawyer)

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Love the movie WHITE CHRISTMAS which introduced that good song. Yes, if I waken and can't get right back to sleep, I pray for the current concerns I have. At least you are using the time constructively! My daughter is interviewing to re-enter the job market in Chicago, after six months interning at Kripalu Yoga and Nutritional Center in Stockbridge, MA, and my son just fell and broke a bone in his lower leg, on the same side of his hip replacement, which will require 8-10 weeks recovery. A parent and (g.parent) usually has many concerns of the heart, requiring prayer!! But of course our biggest blessing IS our family! Here's to sound sleeping in the Everlasting Arms...////FROM JACK: Harold Boulton put these words to a Welsh folk tune. Did you ever sing it as a lullaby?
Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,
I my loving vigil keeping
All through the night.

FROM BS NEAR ORLANDO: Thank the Good Lord, and the dumb Ruskies. Our world received Irv baby out of the deal, wow, what a deal. We came out smelling like a rose.////FROM JACK: My grandparents were immigrants, too...Swedes and Germans. The melting pot has made great soup.

FROM JT IN MICHIGAN: I agree with you and Irving. I've tried all the others - really liked the cookies but it didn't help much.////FROM JACK: Here are some other suggestions: Drink valerian tea; use melatonin tooth paste; use lavender pillow spray; remember to go to bed.