Time enough for sleep.
The welcome sound,
Once again,
Of a dove's wings fully opening to slow the bird as it gently lands on the branches of the ancient tree.
There it is again,
As yet another bird joins the growing cluster.
Such a special sound as it seems to signal the closing of another day.
The doves have always gathered here in the branches of the old one.
They call to others of their kind to remind them to join in the nocturnal ritual.
The notes of their calls are those of a well-worn bamboo flute.
Their coos,
As their numbers swell,
Are the call of peace itself.
It is little wonder the dove has symbolized tranquility for millennia.
They know they are safe here in the shelter of the old tree.
Safe from the worries of the day as they shelter here all night,
Day after day,
Year after year,
And generation after generation.
As the years have gone on and on,
The numbers of doves able to shelter here have grown and the expanding tree has welcomed every one of them.
The steadfastness of this magnificent tree has fostered other plants to grow as well.
Honeysuckle and jasmine vines thread their way around the trunk and up into the branches.
So the senses enjoy not only the sounds of the doves,
But the fragrance of the blossoms as the heat begins to leave the day.
The doves will cuddle into each other or the bark of the tree or even the comfortable fork of one of the many branches.
They choose to rest here for the shelter of the night and for its being the first to catch the beautiful light of the start of day.
In this way they rest when they need to and wake as nature intends.
Such a gentle reminder of the way of the world.
Let the heat pass from the day and bring its own offerings.
Let the heat pass from your body.
Release the troubles and any tension.
Allow yourself to experience and enjoy the cool of the night,
The soft shadows of the silver moonlight,
The knowing that things of the day are set aside for now and will resume as they need to.
Night follows day.
Day blends seamlessly into night as each takes its place in the natural order of things.
So simple,
So fulfilling,
Just as it's supposed to be.
And there you are,
Just where you are supposed to be,
Allowing yourself to accomplish during the day and taking the time to rest at night.
As you take your rest,
Just allowing your muscles to relax,
To release the heat of the day and make space for the calm of the night.
Listen to the sounds of the dubs gently sliding from day to night.
Breathe in the gentle fragrance of the blossoms as they close and moving from day to night.
Become one with the natural rhythm.
Day to night to day to night.
Just breathe and let the waves of coolness wash the heat of the day away.
Let the night take away any worry,
Any doubt,
Any remorse.
Just let the night have them,
Allowing you to rest as nature does every night after every day.
Let the subdued light of the night enfold you as the moon passes silently through the arc of the sky.
Know all is well in the universe as the lights of the stars steer you through your slumber,
Freeing your body to enjoy the peace following the busy day.
You are a part of it all,
The cycling of day to night to day to night.
Allow yourself to gently fall into the rhythm as old as time itself.
Release your body to its natural place of rest and peace.
Remember what you have always known.
This natural movement of busy to unbusy,
Active to relaxed,
Thinking to releasing has always been there and always will be there.
Just allow yourself to find your place and move so effortlessly,
So peacefully,
So naturally into sleep.
Yes,
There is nothing to be done now but let go.
Follow the doves to a place of complete safety,
Comfort,
Rest and relaxation.
This will naturally move to waking when you need to,
Accomplishing what is required and then gliding into rest once more.
Just be the natural being you've always been,
A part of this motion requiring no push,
No bluster,
No worry.
Just allow.
Sleep becomes that familiar old place of restoring.
It is once again the welcoming,
Comfortable place of shelter.
Just allow yourself to be who you are,
Such a beautiful element of all there is.
Listen to the call of rest,
Of coolness,
Of soft shadows and gentle fragrance.
Allow it to restore you to enjoy the days like you used to.
Wake and sleep,
Sleep and awake,
Day and night.
Accomplish and relax,
Rest,
Restore.
Just breathe and allow and it will be so.
Just remember your place in the natural world of effortless transition from light to dark.
Awake to a sleep,
Seek and then allow.
So easy,
So natural,
So peaceful.
Let the night take the day and the day follow the night.
Be a part of it all as you are supposed to.
The rhythm is old as time itself and now allow yourself to find time enough to sleep,
Waking just as you need to.
Welcome back.
