Aloha,
Little friend.
Tonight,
I'd like to tell you about a tiny kitten named Oliver.
Oliver was the fluffiest kitten you could ever imagine.
His fur was as soft as a cloud.
His whiskers twitched whenever he was curious.
And his little pink nose wiggled whenever he smelled something yummy.
But there was one thing about Oliver.
He was scared of almost everything.
The wind sounded spooky.
The shadows looked funny.
A creaky floorboard made him jump.
Even his own tale surprised him sometimes.
Maybe you've felt that way before.
Sometimes when the lights go out,
Our imaginations can make ordinary things seem much bigger than they really are.
That's okay.
Lots of little kittens and lots of little kids feel that way sometimes.
Tonight,
Oliver is going to learn a special bedtime secret.
Maybe you can learn it too.
Take one slow breath in.
And let it gently float back out.
Let's begin.
One evening,
The moon rose high above the little cottage where Oliver lived.
His family curled up in cozy spots around the house.
Mama cat stretched beside the fireplace.
His brothers and sisters were already asleep in a fluffy pile.
But Oliver.
He couldn't settle down.
He peeked toward the hallway.
Was that a monster?
No.
Just the old grandfather clock saying,
Tick tock,
Tick tock.
He looked at the curtains.
They're moving.
Then he noticed the window was open just a little.
The evening breeze was making them dance.
E-side.
Maybe things weren't quite as scary as they first seemed.
Still.
His tummy felt full of little butterflies.
Oliver quietly padded into the garden outside.
The moon painted everything silver.
There sat the oldest cat in the neighborhood.
Her name was Willow.
Her fur shimmered in the moonlight like soft grey velvet.
She smiled kindly.
You seem worried tonight.
Oliver nodded.
I want to sleep.
But my mind keeps making scary stories.
Willow nodded.
Minds are wonderful at telling stories.
But tonight,
Let's tell a different one.
Willow invited Oliver to sit beside her.
First.
She whispered.
Feel your pause.
Oliver look down.
He wiggled each tiny toe.
He felt the cool grass underneath.
He noticed.
The ground was holding him.
He was safe.
Now you can notice your body too.
Maybe you can feel your blanket.
Or your pillow.
Or your favorite stuffed animal.
Your bed is holding you gently.
Just like the earth held all of earth.
Take another slow breath.
Willow smile.
Now I am going to teach you something very special.
Everyone has a beautiful,
Gentle light inside them.
It isn't bright like a flashlight.
It's soft.
Warm and peaceful.
Oliver closed his eyes.
Can you find yours?
At first,
He couldn't.
But then.
.
.
He imagined a tiny golden sparkle glowing inside his heart.
Just one little sparkle.
Can you imagine one too?
Maybe yours is golden.
Or blue.
Or pink.
Or green.
Whatever color feels warm and happy to you.
Willow slowly stood up.
And gently guided Oliver back into his room.
Now,
Willow whispered as they walked.
Every slow breath makes your light a little bigger.
Oliver,
Breathe in.
The tiny sparkle became the size of a marble.
He breathed out.
It stayed warm and glowing.
He breathed in again.
Now it became the size of an apple.
Then a beach ball.
Then.
Something amazing happened.
The glowing light floated all around Oliver like the biggest,
Fluffiest balloon.
It surrounded his ears.
Is Whiskers.
Is pause.
Is Tiny Tail.
He felt wrapped inside the coziest bubble ever.
Willow smiles.
This is your peaceful bubble.
It belongs to you.
It knows exactly how to help you feel safe.
The peaceful bubble grew a little bigger.
It filled Oliver's bed.
Then his whole bedroom.
It floated into every little corner.
Under the bed.
Inside the closet.
Behind the curtains.
Everywhere the gentle light reached.
The shadows became ordinary shadows again.
The funny noises became ordinary nighttime sounds.
Nothing scary could stay inside such a peaceful room.
There simply wasn't any space left.
Only calm.
Only kindness.
Only cozy bedtime feelings.
Can you imagine your own peaceful bubble?
See it filling your room very slowly.
Every corner.
Every wall.
Around every window.
Around every door.
So.
.
.
Warm,
Canto.
Your room becomes one great big cozy balloon.
Filled with peaceful bedtime lights.
Inside your peaceful room.
You are safe.
You are loved.
You are resting.
Just then.
Oliver Hurt.
Scratch,
Scratch,
Scratch.
He froze.
What was that?
Willow smiles.
They both looked out the open window toward the fence.
A tiny hedgehog was happily scratching his back against the wooden post.
Oliver couldn't help it.
He giggled.
His fear shrank smaller and smaller.
Sometimes.
Our minds guess something is scary.
Until we discover the real story.
Soon,
Sleepy fireflies floated through the garden.
They blinked slowly.
Almost like they were breathing.
On.
Mm-hmm.
On.
Oliver watched them.
Without realizing it.
His own breathing became slower too.
Breathe in.
And breathe out.
Even more slowly,
Again in and out.
And out.
Everything felt quieter now.
Willow stood and gave Oliver a gentle nuzzle.
You know,
Something wonderful.
You don't have to make every scary thought disappear.
You only need to remember something even stronger.
That you are safe right here.
And every slow breath helps your peaceful light grow.
Oliver smiled.
I think I can remember that.
I know you can.
Oliver climbed into his little basket bed.
His blanket felt extra soft.
He closed his eyes.
He imagined his peaceful balloon growing all around him once more.
It filled his cozy bed.
Is wrong.
Every little corner.
It wrapped around the whole cottage like a warm hug.
His family slept peacefully nearby.
The wind outside became a gentle lullaby.
The old clock quietly whispered,
Tick tock,
Tick tock.
Everything sounded calm.
Everything felt peaceful.
Everything was just as it should be.
Oliver yawned the biggest kitten yawn.
His paws curled close to his fluffy chest.
Is Whiskers Relax.
His ears became still.
Is breathing grew slower?
And lower.
Until he drifted into the happiest dreams.
He dreamed of chasing butterflies through the sunny fields.
Playing with friendly rabbits.
Curling up in warm patches of sunshine.
And every time he felt a little worried.
His peaceful bubble found him again.
Because it had been inside him all along.
Now,
Maybe your own peaceful bubble is glowing softly around you.
Maybe her room feels warm.
Quiet.
And calm.
Your blanket is hugging you gently.
Your pillow is supporting your head.
Your breathing is slow.
Your body is resting.
And just like Oliver.
You can remember.
There is a peaceful light inside you.
Every slow breath helps it grow.
It fills your room with calm.
It reminds you that you are safe.
You are loved.
You are cozy.
And you can let your busy thoughts drift away like little clouds floating across the nighttime sky.
The moon is watching over the world.
The stars are twinkling above.
Everything is peaceful.
Everything is quiet.
Everything is ready for sleep.
Good night,
Little friend.
Sleep deeply.
Sleep peacefully.
And if you happen to dream of a fluffy little kitten named Oliver.
He's probably dreaming right alongside you.
Wrapped in his warm,
Glowing bubble of bedtime light.
