I’m Back For The End Of 2022

For The Self-Help

A little over a month ago, I essentially left Medium because I wasn’t sleeping. Everything took second place to this overwhelming distraction, that robbed me of my lucidity, for a while.

Not only has it been debilitating, it is painful, too. I’ve been awake at any time with deep chest pains that lasted for hours, fearing I would need to call an ambulance at any moment. I had muscle pains everywhere else and very loud ringing in my ears. It is not possible to sleep with a whistle in my head!

Last night was not much different. I had a three-hour awake nap in the middle of the night. This was time spent tossing and turning and attempting to go into Yoga Nidra.

While my normal, productive, life was slipping away, under a fog of forgetfulness and ever-growing confusion, I felt at a loss for a solution of any kind. It was impossible to read more than a page at a sitting.

It is beyond frustrating to be an insomniac. Even more so when it could be prevented, as experience has taught me it can.

Then, today, I began reading some of the self-help articles that I did not know I’d been missing. They are short and ranging from shamanic journeying to time management. And, they are good while I am in need of help. I am reminded that sometimes, even experts in human behavior need a helping hand. In my world, physical illness is the most prevalent instance of such need.

There is no shame in need, no shame in being sick, and no shame in asking for help. Sometimes it is the best thing we can do. When we receive help, the needy get help and the helpers get needed. It’s a win-win game that brings more giving and receiving than anything else.

But, what is shameful to me is when people refuse to help someone in need. It speaks of cowardice and cruelty, greed, ignorance, and a belief that some are less than, are undeserving or a waste of effort.

I am glad that I am evolved enough that I do not fit that latter, shameful category. Far be it from me to view the needy as less than my brothers and sisters. Or to pretend they should just get over it.

I do not know if I would help an enemy, or someone who wishes that I would die, but odds are I might.

I have no idea if they, or the world, would be better for it, but I might.