Fog

I awake to the sound of my cat using the bedroom curtains as a scratching post. Not my favorite alarm sound. Moments later, my actual alarm chimes 6:00 am. Time to rise and shine. I rise, but I don’t shine. Honestly, I barely rise. I shuffle into the kitchen, feed the cats, give them a few pets, and then sit down for a while to allow the fog of sleep to clear from my brain. There is little light in the sky. Sunrise is still 30 minutes away. No rays of morning light to help burn off this fog.

I meditate, shower, dress, eat breakfast, and head off to campus. I teach one lecture and one lab today. Grading, lesson prep, and other campus duties will fill the remainder of the workday. Blessedly, I only have a few hours I need to be “on.” I attach a cup of Earl Grey (hot!) to my hand and drink it liberally.

I find I am not the only one battling this fog today. My students greet me with large yawns, tired eyes, and sleepy bodies. Mid-terms are upon us, the shine of the new school year worn away. The colors of the fall beckon to the coming winter. We all feel the pull to hibernate and resist.

With class finished, I turn to grading papers, reviewing curriculum changes, and preparing lessons on acid-base chemistry and organic nomenclature. I soak in the energy from the creating process and the fog lifts a little. I grade papers until I no longer have the energy for it. I never grade when I am in a bad mood or tired. It’s just not fair to students.

Fortunately, a flexible schedule allows me to take a quick nap, my cats dancing around me to go outside. I sleep through their commotion. We will go outside later. Now, rest.

I awake clear-headed and refreshed. The fog lifted, I can continue with my to-dos. I check off grading a lab on emission spectra and update a worksheet on hydrocarbons and functional groups. My nap cleared the way for one more boost of productivity before dinner.

Sometimes, we humans need to turn ourselves off and then on again. Like a computer, it clears the RAM and allows a fresh start.

I am always grateful for a fresh start.