You almost didn't press play.
Right?
There's too much to do.
Six minutes of lying still...
feels like something you can't afford.
I get it.
When the list is this long...
even resting turns into a chore.
Something else to get right.
Something you're behind on.
So tonight, rest isn't a task.
You can't do it wrong.
It's just lying here.
Notice the pull, though.
It's real.
Like a hand tugging your sleeve.
Maybe it's in your They legs.
want to get up.
Just one more thing.
Then bed.
You know how "one more thing" goes.
It's never one.
Or in your chest.
A tight, hurried feeling.
Even lying That's down.
You okay.
don't have to make it go Just away.
let it be there while you rest.
Picture the list.
Your whole list.
The work deadlines.
The groceries for Thursday.
Who's picking up whom from the airport.
It's a short week.
With a long list to match.
Isn't it always, this time of year?
Now picture it on a yellow legal pad.
Sitting on a desk in another The room.
light is off The in there.
door is half closed.
A pen lies across the pad.
Cap Nobody's on.
using it The tonight.
list is fine where It's it is.
not getting longer while you Paper sleep.
doesn't do that.
And you're not in that room.
You're in this one.
In bed, with the rain.
Breathe in slowly...
And let the breath out...
a little longer than usual.
Now let's practice doing nothing.
It's harder than it sounds.
You won't fix anything.
You won't plan anything.
You'll just breathe and notice the bed.
Feel the sheet under your palm.
Cool or warm.
Smooth or a little wrinkled.
That's all.
Just notice it.
Breathe in...
slowly your through nose.
And out...
no need to do anything with it.
Feel the pillow under your cheek.
Or the back of your head.
Let it take a little more weight.
Feel your feet under the covers.
Warm or cold.
Just notice.
If mind your starts planning tomorrow...
you'll feel it lean forward.
Like out it's already the door.
When that happens...
come back to the sheet under your hand.
No scolding.
In...
And out...
Notice the rain.
You don't have to count the drops.
Just hear them.
This is it.
This is the whole practice.
Lying here.
Not getting anything done.
And that's allowed.
Even this week.
A field left alone for a season...
grows back stronger.
You're allowed a season too.
Or a night.
In...
And out...
letting the bed do the holding.
Doing nothing now.
The list is in the other room.
The door is closed a little more.
Your legs have stopped tugging.
Your chest is softer.
The rain is doing all the work.
You can let it.
If an item from the list floats in...
just say, And come back to the sheet.
Breathing in...
And out...
Rest is enough.
Even when you're busy.
Especially then.
Tomorrow you'll open that door again.
The pad will be right where it was.
And you'll be more rested for it.
Just lying here.
Goodnight.