the acts, people, andmoments that you’re grateful for. Some will be big, others small —but all will have an impact on your mood and bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire book full of goodmemories and warm feelings. While keeping a journal is great, there are other ways to go about cultivating and expressing gratitude. The easiest one is simply to say
This Podcast Is Helping People Everywhere Fall Asleep Faster
“Thanks” whenever you can. It may seem insignificant, but you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. When you approach the world with the perspective that every day is Thanksgiving, it’s only natural to be grateful.
“SLEEP WITH ME” IS SATISFYINGLY BORING
We all have moments when we want to curse the world, especially as we get older,
According to Greek mythology, the clever god, Hermes, used his inimitable wit to tell stories so long-winded they lulled monsters into a deep slumber. Using that same logic, the insomniacs of today’s world are advised to read material that will bore them to sleep. Unfortunately, for the people who toss and turn all night, studies show that the traditional techniques — like reading the phone book or counting sheep — aren’t effective. Patients who counted sheep for a study at Oxford University had no better luck falling asleep than the control group. Researchers found that insomniacs didn’t require sheer boredom to sleep; they needed a specific type of narrative that managed to be mildly amusing but not overly stimulating. Enter Drew Ackerman, the creator and host of the popular podcast “Sleep With Me.” Ackerman, a 41-year-old librarian in the Bay Area, created this podcast in 2013 to offer people who are experiencing sleep issues “a lulling, droning, boring bedtime story to distract their racing minds.” His podcast narratives are interesting in the way that they balance the act of intriguing listeners and soothing them to sleep. The stories are delivered in Ackerman’s meticulously unmodulated, drawling voice, which he spends loads of time working to perfect. To accompany the calming sound, Ackerman tells stories that function more like a stream of consciousness than a narrative with a start and end. Over time, his listeners have testified that his ability to jump from one unrelated topic to the next helps them fall asleep more quickly, and Ackerman continues to do just that. If you find that you constantly experience difficulty falling asleep and none of the classic tricks have helped, be sure to check out “Sleep With Me.” You can listen to it either on your home computer or on your smartphone and subscribe through Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, RadioPublic, or Spotify. For more information, go to sleepwithmepodcast.com.
and those experiences are perfectly normal. Just as frequently, though, we have moments that are worth celebrating, often with people who are worth appreciating. Which will you think about more?
Have You Heard the Good News?
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Matthew11:28-30 Come tome, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn fromme, for I amgentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy andmy burden is light. Phil. 4:6-7, 9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus ... the God of peace will be with you.
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