A Peaceful Voyage Across The Atlantic: A Sleepy Story

This is a Calming, Sleepy Story, written and narrated by me. Tonight, we’ll set sail on the vast and tranquil Atlantic, where we’ll meet a solitary sailor named Will as he embarks on an unforgettable journey. We’ll drift alongside Will as he navigates the open seas, explore his thoughts and dreams, and let the gentle rhythm of the waves lull us into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Narration and Sound Design by Stephen Dalton

Transcript

Hello my friend,

Welcome to your sleep story.

My name is Stephen Dalton,

I'm an Irish storyteller and it's my great privilege to be the voice that you listen to as you go to sleep tonight.

I recently spent some time at home in Ireland and I was staying with my uncle who is a sailor and I was inspired by his stories of being out at sea over many many years.

Those long nights when he would be aboard the boat all alone,

Just him and the ocean and I thought it would make a great sleep story and so tonight I present to you the sailor.

Okay,

Let's do the relaxation session now which will take a few minutes before tonight's sleep story.

I'm going to count down from 10 to 1 and as I do allow yourself to let go more and more.

10.

Feel the support of the bed beneath you or the floor or whatever you are lying on tonight.

Really feel that support,

That feeling of being held and see for a moment if you can become aware of the support beneath that,

The support of the earth,

That constant support and as you become aware of that support see if you can let go a little bit more now.

Relax a little bit more now.

Give in to this moment a little bit more now.

9.

You are safe.

Allow my voice to be an anchor of safety tonight.

A friend,

A voice that will only take you to safe places,

Cozy places,

Places that lead you to deep sleep.

10.

Safety is so important as we move towards rest.

Allow my voice to be a source of safety now.

Feel into your body,

Where are you still holding?

Maybe it's in your feet,

Maybe in your lower legs,

Maybe in your belly,

Maybe in your chest,

Maybe your shoulders,

Or maybe your face.

I know I hold my face a lot.

See if you can just soften now a little bit more.

Good.

7.

Peace lives within you.

It is always there.

It is your constant friend.

8.

It's just waiting to be found.

Waiting to be seen.

Waiting to be felt.

See if you can find that peace tonight.

9.

And if you do,

Where is it in your body?

Maybe you feel it in your heart,

Or in your belly,

Or throughout your entire body.

10.

The day is done.

Whatever has been,

And whatever will be,

11.

Whatever thoughts you might have about today,

Whatever thoughts you might have about tomorrow,

They're not useful now.

Allow yourself to let go of those thoughts now.

To see them arrive,

To welcome them,

And then to let them float away like clouds in a moonlit sky,

Or leaves on a moonlit river.

11.

You deserve rest.

You deserve peace.

Know that,

Deep within yourself,

Know that you are deserving of this moment.

This moment that is yours,

And yours alone.

Enjoy that fact,

That this is your moment,

And that you deserve it.

12.

Begin to feel a little gratitude now.

Gratitude for the simple things,

Like your breath,

Or the shelter you have tonight,

Or someone special in your life.

13.

Begin to engage with your imagination now.

Begin to see a calm and beautiful ocean,

And a beautiful yacht,

And the sun saying goodbye to the day.

14.

Begin to feel the open,

Healing energy of this place.

15.

Feel into your body one more time now.

Make sure you aren't holding anywhere.

Completely letting go now,

As I tell you tonight's sleep story.

He lies back on the deck.

The hard work is done for now,

And it's time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

The sun is setting.

Our nearest star bids farewell to the earth for another day.

It bids farewell to our friend,

Will the Sailor,

For another day as well.

Will,

You might say,

Is aptly named.

He has always been determined to follow his own intuition.

Always determined to follow his will.

And sometimes,

As is the case tonight,

To let the wind guide him.

Literally.

For Will is on a voyage.

A voyage around our beautiful planet.

So,

Allow me to tell you a little more.

Will was always full of dreams.

Dreams of what the world was like in the great beyond.

His head was a marvelous place.

A world where he could grow and fly and move and see whatever his heart desired.

And Will had made his dreams come true.

Literally.

For here he is now.

The year is 1957.

And Will is aboard the sailing boat that he built with his own hands.

Sailing towards,

Well,

Wherever he wants to.

This is the time of day that he loves most.

When the world seems to pause and hold its breath in a moment of pure tranquility.

The gentle rocking of the boat and the soft sounds of the waves against the hull create a soothing sound that lulls Will into a state of peaceful contemplation.

Here,

He is far away from all that he has ever known.

Far away from busyness and noise.

And all the distractions of modern life.

He gazes up at the emerging stars.

Tiny pinpricks of light in the deepening twilight.

Each star is a distant sun.

A reminder of the vastness of the universe.

And the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.

In this moment,

He feels a deep connection to the cosmos.

A sense of belonging to something much larger than himself.

The night sky has always been his guide.

Its constellations,

A map to adventure and discovery.

As the evening breeze picks up,

Rustling the sails and filling them with life,

Will thinks back to the countless hours he spent building his boat,

Which he called Guiding Star.

Every plank,

Every nail,

Every knot tied with care and precision.

This vessel is more than just a means of transport.

It's a manifestation of Will's dreams and Will's determination.

Will's will,

If you like.

It carries not just his body,

But his hopes,

His spirit,

And his unyielding will to explore.

Will's mind drifts to the places he has yet to see,

The cultures he has yet to experience,

And the people he has yet to meet.

The world is a vast and wondrous place,

Filled with endless adventures waiting to unfold.

He imagines the bustling markets of distant lands,

The serene beauty of untouched islands,

And the majestic mountains rising from the sea.

Each destination holds a promise of new stories,

New friends,

And new memories to be made.

With the stars now twinkling brightly above,

Will feels content.

He is exactly where he wants to be,

Doing exactly what he wants to do.

The wind,

The waves,

And the stars are his companions on this journey.

They guide him towards the unknown with a gentle,

Reassuring touch.

As he closes his eyes and lets the rhythm of the ocean lull him to sleep,

He knows that tomorrow will bring new adventures and new horizons to explore.

And soon,

Will drifts off into a deep,

Restful sleep,

Knowing that the boat will let him know if he needs to awaken.

But for now,

It's time for rest.

The first light of dawn gently stirs Will from his sleep.

He opens his eyes to the serene sight of a tranquil sea that stretches out endlessly around him.

The water,

Smooth and glassy,

Reflecting the soft,

Pastel colors of the morning sky.

It is as if the entire world is still dreaming,

Caught in a peaceful,

Timeless moment.

Will takes a deep breath,

Filling his lungs with the fresh,

Salty air,

And feels a deep sense of gratitude for the beauty that surrounds him.

Rising slowly,

Will stretches and listens to the soothing sounds of the sea.

He moves to the edge of the boat and splashes some cool,

Refreshing water onto his face,

Feeling the droplets roll down his skin.

The air is cool and crisp,

And Will soon sets about his daily tasks with a sense of purpose and routine.

First,

He checks the sails,

Ensuring that they are properly trimmed and catching the light morning breeze.

The canvas rustles softly as he adjusts the ropes.

His hands moving with practiced ease.

The sun begins to rise higher in the sky,

Casting a warm,

Golden light over the deck and sparkling on the water's surface.

Will takes a moment to admire the play of light and shadow,

Feeling a deep connection to the natural world.

Next,

Will attends to the maintenance of his boat.

He inspects the rigging,

Making sure that all the lines and knots are secure.

The feel of the rough rope beneath his fingers is reassuring,

A tangible reminder of the hard work and dedication that has gone into his journey.

He then cleans the deck,

Scrubbing away the salt and grime that have accumulated.

The rhythmic motion of his work is meditative,

Allowing his mind to wander and dream.

As the morning progresses,

Will prepares a simple breakfast.

He gathers some fresh fruit and bread from his supplies,

Savoring the sweetness of the fruit and the satisfying crunch of the bread.

He eats slowly,

Enjoying each bite and watching the sea change color.

As the sun climbs higher,

The blue of the water deepens.

And the gentle breeze carries the scent of the ocean,

Filling his senses with the pure invigorating smell of salt and fresh fruit.

With the chores complete,

Will takes a moment to rest and reflect.

He lies back on the deck,

Feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin,

And listening to the calming sounds of the sea.

The gentle rocking of the boat helps soothe his soul.

He closes his eyes and lets his thoughts drift,

Feeling completely at peace.

In this moment.

Then,

Will sits down at a small wooden table in the cabin of his boat,

And takes out his well-worn leather journal.

The pages are filled with his thoughts,

Observations,

And dreams.

He opens to a fresh page,

And takes a moment to collect his thoughts before beginning to write.

1957 Today,

I find myself in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean,

Surrounded by an endless expanse of blue.

The sea is calm,

Almost mirror-like,

Reflecting the sky above.

It feels as if I am sailing through a dream,

Where time stands still,

And the world is at peace.

I am grateful for this moment,

For the tranquility and the beauty that envelops me.

These moments that I have on this boat,

I cherish.

These quiet times,

When I can reflect on my journey,

And the path that lies ahead.

And today,

I am filled with a sense of wonder.

I've been thinking about the history of sailing,

And the countless explorers who have sailed these same waters before me.

Those great adventurers,

Who set out into the unknown,

Guided only by the stars and their unwavering determination.

They were driven by a desire to discover new lands.

To understand the world,

And to push the boundaries of what was possible.

I feel a deep connection to these sailors of old.

To their courage,

And their spirit of exploration.

As I sail towards the Caribbean,

I am reminded of the stories of great explorers past,

Who ventured across this vast ocean,

In search of a new world.

And of course,

The Caribbean holds a special allure for me.

The thought of its turquoise waters,

Vibrant coral reefs,

And lush tropical islands,

Fills me with excitement,

And anticipation.

I dream of exploring its hidden coves,

Meeting its people,

And immersing myself in its rich culture.

The Caribbean is a place of beauty and wonder,

And I am eager to experience all that it has to offer.

As I write,

I feel a sense of purpose and direction.

The sea may be vast and unpredictable,

But my heart is set on reaching the Caribbean.

I am determined to follow my own will,

To let the wind guide me,

And to embrace whatever adventures lie ahead.

I love that I have chosen this path,

And I am grateful for every moment.

Will closes his journal,

And takes a moment to savor the stillness and beauty of the day.

He then stands and stretches,

Feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin.

With a renewed sense of purpose,

He heads to the helm,

And adjusts the sails,

Ready to continue his voyage.

The wind fills the sails,

And the boat begins to move gracefully through the water,

Guided by the unseen currents,

And the spirit of adventure.

Will smiles,

Knowing that he is exactly where he is meant to be,

And that the journey ahead is filled with endless possibilities.

He moves with practiced efficiency,

Adjusting the rigging.

And tightening the lines,

To optimize the sail's shape.

The sails fill with wind,

Their canvas taut and powerful.

The boat responds immediately,

Surging forward with renewed vigor.

Will's hands are firm on the wheel,

His eyes scanning the horizon and the sky,

Reading the subtle signs that nature offers.

The boat cuts through the water with grace and speed.

The hull slicing through the waves,

And sending up sprays of sparkling sea.

The sound of the wind in the sails,

And the rhythmic thrum of the boat's movement,

Are like music to his ears.

He leans into the wind,

Embracing the sensation of being carried forward by forces greater than himself.

And as the boat picks up speed,

Will's heart soars.

He laughs out loud,

A sound of pure,

Unbridled happiness,

That mingles with the wind and the waves.

With each passing moment,

Will feels more alive,

More in tune with the rhythm of the sea.

The wind is his ally,

His friend,

And together they dance across the ocean,

Chasing the sun and the stars.

The world is vast and beautiful,

And Will is determined to explore every corner of it,

To live each moment to the fullest,

And to embrace the adventure that awaits.

Time passes,

And soon,

The sun is setting once more.

And after his adventurous day,

Will feels a sense of tranquility settle over him.

And the wind that had driven him forward so vigorously during the day,

Has now softened to a gentle breeze.

The ocean,

Like a mirror,

Reflects the deepening colors of the twilight sky.

And Will takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of the scene before him.

Will begins his evening routine.

He secures the sails,

Ensuring everything is in order for the night.

The boat,

Now gently rocking with the light waves,

Seems to hum with contentment.

The sea is calm,

And the stars begin to twinkle overhead,

And the moon rises,

Casting a silver path across the water.

Inside the cozy cabin of his boat,

Will prepares for sleep.

The cabin is small,

But well organized.

Each item is in its place,

Creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.

He lights a small lantern.

It's soft glow,

Illuminating the polished wood and simple furnishings.

The gentle rocking of the boat,

And the rhythmic sound of the waves,

Create a soothing backdrop.

Will changes into his comfortable night clothes,

And lies down in his narrow but inviting bed.

The bed is tucked into a snug corner of the cabin,

Surrounded by shelves filled with books and nautical instruments.

He pulls a woolen blanket over himself.

Feeling the soft,

Familiar weight settle around him,

The lantern's light casts dancing shadows on the walls,

Creating a calming almost magical ambience.

And as he closes his eyes,

Will's thoughts drift to the day's adventures,

And the promise of tomorrow.

He feels a deep sense of contentment and fulfillment,

Knowing that he is living his dream.

His breathing slows,

Matching the rhythm of the waves.

And he begins to drift into sleep.

The ocean cradles him like a mother,

Holding her child.

The motion of the boat,

A gentle embrace.

The stars keep their silent vigil,

And the moon's silver light bathes the world in a tranquil glow.

And in the heart of the vast,

Serene ocean,

Sleeps soundly his spirit at peace,

And his dreams filled with the promise of new adventures.

Reviews

Enjoy listening to these even though I don't always get further than the meditation..hopefully some new ones soon 🤞🏻

Magical...as always. You know, you could be reading your grocery list and I probably wouldn't notice because I rarely make it to the actual story. Powerful!

Thank you.

Yet another fabulous story, this time about your uncle ‘will’ bless him🙏🏻🌹