3 a.m. really is the cosmic notification nobody asked for. It’s like the universe whispering “Hey, remember all that emotional crap you ignored today? Surprise, we brought receipts.” Meanwhile your ego is clocked out, your soul is clocking in, and your body is just lying there like a broken Roomba.
But I love the reminder that tension isn’t failure. It’s just the stretch between who we are and who we’re trying to be. Anxiety panics. Tension nudges. One screams “run.” The other says “breathe.”
If second sleep shows up after the wrestling, that’s basically divine melatonin. Presence as a sleep aid. I’ll take it.
Thank you so much RevKarla for this wonderful Gratitude Journey - just catching up on this glorious SONday in Minnesota (sunny & blue sky) and finally I have Internet to be able to go back and catch up on the previous days!
Not surprised to find out, I'm not the only one that God prompts at 3 am nor that He led me here on this day to lean in and learn the difference with tension & anxiety (or stress & tension that leads to anxiety, that use to be a struggle (lol). But truthfully, I found it interesting your note on that surge of cortisol between 2-4am (first time for me to know this) that explains so much. Since the recent loss of my spouse in September, I thought it might be him, trying to wake me still ... after almost 50 years of marriage and the last year (and about 7 before this -semi) being his caregiver. I really believed that my tension might end now ... I really do appreciate this entire lesson (and can't wait now to go back to the rest). I learned deep breathing and then "Breath Prayers" as my solution long ago to deal/cope better with my anxious thoughts. Psalm 4:8 became a mainstay breath prayer (inhale) In peace I will lie down and sleep; (exhale) for You alone O Lord will keep me safe.
Thank you, Dear Peggy. The wisdom of 3am simply cannot be denied, even if it is prompted by hormonal or stressor responses, or Spirit. The clarity of mind is there for so many of us. It’s a magical hour for my writing. There have been times when I’ll knock out 2 or 3 blogs in one hour. During the day I’ll struggle to complete an outline for one. The loss as great of your spouse, who you spent so much of your life with, could be the reason for that time. If I may offer one additional to your breath prayer. Ask “What do I need to hear?””What do I need to remember?” “What wisdom is here for me to receive?” If it’s spiritual awakening that is a visit from a loved one who has passed, you may be surprised to receive answers. Perhaps not directly in that moment, but clarity may come in a day or so. Crones are especially open to the thinning of the veil between our physical and spiritual realms. Combining that with your breathwork may complete a practice for you that answers questions that you didn’t even realize you had. I receive your blessings and offer them back to you, Karla
I like this defining between tension and anxiety. I never differentiated between the two. Reframing my thinking with this understanding will be helpful when that 3am wave hits! I definitely overuse “anxiety “ at this point when I should be using tension… which, oddly enough, causes me to be more anxious!
Thank you, Rene. The exaggerated sigh and pause for breath have helped me tremendously, and recently I pulled out my crocheting. If the breath work or crocheting doesn’t help then I realize I’m dealing with something deeper. This whole concept is much more layered than what I’m offering but acknowledging it is the first step. ❤️
Yes the use of something distracting helps I often do a mental sort back to the root cause to see if it’s something that is just based on a trauma response, something I can deal with, or something not really in my control. Then talk myself through it. Mental lists :) Holiday times, of course, seem to bring out the worst. I do better these days having let go of the “Hallmark holiday” expectations and recognizing and being grateful for my own presence and experiences now.
Oh wow I’m feeling this. I’m preparing for a surgery soon. Not life-threatening but my recovery requires bedrest, right at the holidays. I’m having to release my expectations but also plan for the nutrition I need for healing. Family is stepping up, but I’m struggling with this TENSION of what’s mine to do and what others can do for me. Them mixed in that is a little guilt of changing things to prioritize me. It all feels so foreign yet so needed.
Sometimes it’s exactly what’s needed to remind us it’s ok to put ourselves first once in awhile. I went through cancer treatment over the holidays. It was extremely humbling to HAVE to let go an let everyone do it all, take care of everything and me. And you know what? I learned a lot. And grew a lot that year, in more ways than expected. Life is a great teacher when we let ourselves be a student. ♥️
3 a.m. really is the cosmic notification nobody asked for. It’s like the universe whispering “Hey, remember all that emotional crap you ignored today? Surprise, we brought receipts.” Meanwhile your ego is clocked out, your soul is clocking in, and your body is just lying there like a broken Roomba.
But I love the reminder that tension isn’t failure. It’s just the stretch between who we are and who we’re trying to be. Anxiety panics. Tension nudges. One screams “run.” The other says “breathe.”
If second sleep shows up after the wrestling, that’s basically divine melatonin. Presence as a sleep aid. I’ll take it.
Indeed. 3am is the real deal. Regardless of the reasons we find ourselves awake, ego won’t help us. Only truth.
Thank you so much RevKarla for this wonderful Gratitude Journey - just catching up on this glorious SONday in Minnesota (sunny & blue sky) and finally I have Internet to be able to go back and catch up on the previous days!
Not surprised to find out, I'm not the only one that God prompts at 3 am nor that He led me here on this day to lean in and learn the difference with tension & anxiety (or stress & tension that leads to anxiety, that use to be a struggle (lol). But truthfully, I found it interesting your note on that surge of cortisol between 2-4am (first time for me to know this) that explains so much. Since the recent loss of my spouse in September, I thought it might be him, trying to wake me still ... after almost 50 years of marriage and the last year (and about 7 before this -semi) being his caregiver. I really believed that my tension might end now ... I really do appreciate this entire lesson (and can't wait now to go back to the rest). I learned deep breathing and then "Breath Prayers" as my solution long ago to deal/cope better with my anxious thoughts. Psalm 4:8 became a mainstay breath prayer (inhale) In peace I will lie down and sleep; (exhale) for You alone O Lord will keep me safe.
Thank you for the release reminders once again!
Blessings on your week,
Peggy
Thank you, Dear Peggy. The wisdom of 3am simply cannot be denied, even if it is prompted by hormonal or stressor responses, or Spirit. The clarity of mind is there for so many of us. It’s a magical hour for my writing. There have been times when I’ll knock out 2 or 3 blogs in one hour. During the day I’ll struggle to complete an outline for one. The loss as great of your spouse, who you spent so much of your life with, could be the reason for that time. If I may offer one additional to your breath prayer. Ask “What do I need to hear?””What do I need to remember?” “What wisdom is here for me to receive?” If it’s spiritual awakening that is a visit from a loved one who has passed, you may be surprised to receive answers. Perhaps not directly in that moment, but clarity may come in a day or so. Crones are especially open to the thinning of the veil between our physical and spiritual realms. Combining that with your breathwork may complete a practice for you that answers questions that you didn’t even realize you had. I receive your blessings and offer them back to you, Karla
Thank you RevKarla for the addition of questions to ask. I appreciate your wisdom & helpful thoughts! Blessings!
I like this defining between tension and anxiety. I never differentiated between the two. Reframing my thinking with this understanding will be helpful when that 3am wave hits! I definitely overuse “anxiety “ at this point when I should be using tension… which, oddly enough, causes me to be more anxious!
Thank you, Rene. The exaggerated sigh and pause for breath have helped me tremendously, and recently I pulled out my crocheting. If the breath work or crocheting doesn’t help then I realize I’m dealing with something deeper. This whole concept is much more layered than what I’m offering but acknowledging it is the first step. ❤️
Yes the use of something distracting helps I often do a mental sort back to the root cause to see if it’s something that is just based on a trauma response, something I can deal with, or something not really in my control. Then talk myself through it. Mental lists :) Holiday times, of course, seem to bring out the worst. I do better these days having let go of the “Hallmark holiday” expectations and recognizing and being grateful for my own presence and experiences now.
Oh wow I’m feeling this. I’m preparing for a surgery soon. Not life-threatening but my recovery requires bedrest, right at the holidays. I’m having to release my expectations but also plan for the nutrition I need for healing. Family is stepping up, but I’m struggling with this TENSION of what’s mine to do and what others can do for me. Them mixed in that is a little guilt of changing things to prioritize me. It all feels so foreign yet so needed.
Sometimes it’s exactly what’s needed to remind us it’s ok to put ourselves first once in awhile. I went through cancer treatment over the holidays. It was extremely humbling to HAVE to let go an let everyone do it all, take care of everything and me. And you know what? I learned a lot. And grew a lot that year, in more ways than expected. Life is a great teacher when we let ourselves be a student. ♥️
Thank you!😊
You’re welcome ❤️
https://open.substack.com/pub/richardhogan1/p/cathedral-of-grace-the-beatitudes?r=3ea8ga&utm_medium=ios
🇨🇦 Ottawa — Monday, November 24, 2025 09:23
Hyperlink (Commenter) access to my secureddocument in which I am in profound Thanksgiving’s: because of your connectivity: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dI0UrzogYBroqup078hwPyKIwS0LQALVa0MHA1e3zpA/edit?usp=drivesdk