Several times in my life, maybe much of my life, I’ved used sleep as an escape. It allows me to suspend the struggle, the anxiety, the effort.

But even as I love to sleep, especially in periods of particular struggle and change, my very being, deep down, pushes me back out,

Out of the darkness to the light and the struggle again, the struggle again.

And so I bow to this inner spirit, mostly heeding the firm hand that guides me forward, insistent.

Go forward we must, I must. From the darkness and sleep to the light and the struggle anew.

Still breathing? GOOD. Keep going.