Sleep Apnea, Adaptive Creativity, and A Wounded Writer by Alan Anderson

 

Sleep Apnea

The first sound I hear every morning after I turn off my C-PAP machine is the breathing of my beautiful darling, my wife. We have hugged and snuggled for over forty-two years. Many of those years included my snores every night. Readers might ask, “So what? Sounds like this post is going to be a yawner.” Well, let me explain.

In May 2020, tests at a local sleep clinic concluded I have a condition called extreme obstructive sleep apnea. The diagnosis freed me from almost sleepless nights for over thirty years. Since my diagnosis, I realize how brutal this condition is on one’s body, mind, and heart. I realize I am wounded.

Until my diagnosis, I never heard of “obstructive sleep apnea.” I had heard of “sleep apnea,” but not the “extreme obstructive” type. My Respiratory Therapist at the sleep clinic has educated me on the damage obstructive sleep apnea can cause. This condition is harsh, but the education I have received about it makes sense now regarding what I have suffered with for decades.

Adaptive Creativity

There are consequences because of sleep apnea. My biggest adaptation, at least for now, is to accept I have memory and concentration challenges. These challenges are common for people with obstructive sleep apnea. Believe me, this is not fun, but one can adjust and adapt life to these temporary challenges.

 

I, therefore, welcome adaptive creativity. I used to enjoy researching writing projects and working on them for days at a time. Now my concentration, at least for now, is good for about two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. I need a break in between or else my mind sees too many “shiny things,” my mind wanders.

 

In my life as a writer, I have embraced adaptive creativity via poetry. I find poetry is easier to focus on. While concentration continues to be a struggle, I can write at least one poem draft per week. I turned to poetry in hopes not only to sharpen my writing skills but also aid in my concentration.

 

My major writing project this year is my book of poetry I call, Plant Them A Garden: A Reflective Work of Grief, Faith, and Poetry. I hope to have the book published this year. I am happy to say I am learning a lot about poetry as this project takes shape. I must persevere and increase my concentration at the same time to bring this project to fruition.

 

Extreme obstructive sleep apnea caused me to put my life on pause. I saw a need to step back from my writing and evaluate where I want to focus. I mean as a writer, not to write means not to breathe. Well, I love to write and I’m super in love with the ability to breathe.

 

My journey with extreme obstructive sleep apnea continues, but not as severe as it has been. I thank God I still have an ability to write. I also thank God for InScribe and writer friends. Thank you for a place even wounded writers know they are safe.

 

PS: No more snoring! 

 

Alan lives in Deroche, B.C. with his wife, Terry. He contributed stories to Good Grief People by Angel Hope Publishing, 2017 and Story by Story: The Power of a Writer, Unstoppable Writers Publishing, 2018. Alan has also written articles for FellowScript Magazine. Blog: https://scarredjoy.ca. Alan is the Provincial Rep. Liaison and BC Rep for InScribe.

 

https://scarredjoy.ca/

Diligence: My 2020 Vision - Bruce Atchison

I'm not usually one who chooses mottos or listens for a word for each year but 2020 is different. I feel that "diligence" should be my watchword. The Bible certainly has plenty to say about the subject.

The Proverbs of Solomon are a rich source for gleaning wisdom. Proverbs 10:4 (BBE) reminds us, "He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth."

I need to remind myself of that whenever I feel like checking my e-mail or watching YouTube videos. Practically none of that activity results in inspiring blog post ideas. It doesn't help me write my next book either.

Neither do I want to be under the economic thumb of any one but I'd rather earn money for the work I love doing. As Proverbs 12:24 (BBE) advises, "The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work."

Likewise, I don't want opportunities to go to waste. Using a hunting metaphor, Solomon advises in Proverbs 12:27 (BBE) that, "He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth."

I especially must master my wandering mind. It usually veers into the proverbial weeds instead of keeping focused on the path of creativity. Proverbs 21:5 (BBE) is a good reminder of this. "The purposes of the man of industry have their outcome only in wealth; but one who is over-quick in acting will only come to be in need."

Of course some apparent sloth is due to illness. I suffer from sleep apnea and using the CPAP machine gave me the horrors. Consequently, I feel groggy for the first part of my day and I sleep longer at night.

What I've decided to do is to use the groggy times for goofing off and the alert times for productivity. Much of what I do during the early part of my day is unimportant so it doesn't matter if I waste time then.

And since I can gain knowledge at any hour of the day or night through the Internet, I'll use those times of alertness for research. As Proverbs 18:15 (BBE) says, "The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge."

I thank the Lord that he gave me the gift of writing and the even better gift of solitude. Both will certainly help me be creative but only if I use the opportunity of wakefulness to the maximum possible effect.