Kiwi was anxious.
Well you might be too if you were a flightless endangered bird who couldn't see very well.
In fact,
You might be anxious even if you're not a flightless endangered bird who can't see very well.
Kiwi could feel the worry in his tummy.
A tight little knot tugging at his troubles.
What if I can't find any grubs to eat?
What if I get lost in the dark night?
Kiwi could feel the worry in his head,
Thump thumping away like a drum.
Where has mum gone?
Why am I all alone?
What was that noise?
Oh,
It's you Ruru.
I was worried.
Oh Kiwi,
You're always worried.
Let's see if I can help.
You can help too.
Yes you,
There in your PJs listening in.
Do as I say and you can help Kiwi keep his worries away.
Okay Kiwi,
Listen up PJs.
Here's what you do.
I want you to imagine you are a Maunga,
A mountain.
Maybe you are a famous Maunga like Aoraki or Taranaki.
Or maybe you are a Maunga that's special to you.
Whichever mountain you are,
You are very big and very solid and very strong.
And you are very,
Very still.
Now take a few deep breaths and breathe into your big,
Solid mountain base.
Feel how stuck you are to the earth.
Feel how heavy and strong you are.
And now I want you to imagine some weather coming.
It starts with a wisp of a cloud and then some light,
Gentle rain trickling down onto all of your rocks and trees.
Then the clouds thicken and the wind blows and the rain falls a bit harder.
Can you feel it?
The rainstorm is all around you but you are the Maunga and the Maunga is still.
Slowly the rain stops and the sky clears.
The clouds drift away and the sun shines and the clouds rise and you are the Maunga and the Maunga is still.
Breathe again some deep breaths to feel how heavy and solid and still you are.
Breathe deep into the base of your mountain.
Can you your strength and stillness?
This is a part of you and it is always there.
The weather is your emotions.
They come and go and it is easy to get lost in them and feel like there is nothing else.
But underneath it all you are the Maunga and the Maunga is still.
Thanks for your help PJs.
How do you feel now Kiwi?
I feel much better Ruru.
I feel strong and still like a Maunga.
In fact,
I might just curl up here in this cozy spot and have a wee.
Sleep.
The end.
Po-Mah-Ri-Eh PJs.
