Tonight's sleep story,
The Enchanted Forest of Giant Blooms,
Invites you to step beyond the silver stream and into a dreamy realm of towering petals and oversized flora.
Wander across magical bridges,
Drift in the bellies of fuchsia flowers,
And bathe in their moonlit baths.
Revel in the simple relief of being small as the enchanted forest tends to you.
Find refuge among mushroom cottages and under a rustling canopy,
Slumber gently as you find peace and slumber.
Let yourself be cherished,
Secure,
And entirely at ease in this magical realm.
It's time to dream away.
Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.
I'm Michelle,
Your guide to gentle escapes when the world feels heavy.
Think of me as a dear longtime friend whose voice you may follow or let fade into the background as sleep arrives.
I hope to help you celebrate making it through another day.
This week's journey is inspired by my time in Hawaii and a beloved hula teacher who taught me to notice the quiet magic of the islands.
Washing her hair in the rainwater collected in awapuhi flowers and gathering flowers along the road to weave our own leis.
She reminded my nineteen-year-old ambitious self to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.
I invite you to do the same tonight,
Customizing this tale in any way you see fit to make it feel more precious and enchanting as you settle into this quiet gentle moment before crossing the bridge to sleep.
Let's take a few minutes to unwind.
Release the day as I count us down from five.
Let out a sigh and with it all lingering thoughts may drift away like petals on a breeze.
Whenever your mind wanders,
Your breath may carry those thoughts softly into the enchanted forest beyond.
Inhale slowly,
Feeling the warm floral fragrance of towering blossoms surrounding you.
Perhaps a small yawn escapes you,
A quiet signal that your body is ready to rest.
Five,
Feel the weight of your body sinking deeper into the support beneath you,
Like a giant fern folding its fronds around a small flower.
Let your toes and feet go heavy,
Imagining the soft moss and petals cushioning each step in this forest of giants.
You are safe and completely held by the promise of good things to come tonight.
Four,
A wave of calm moves from your legs up into your hips.
Let your lower back release any tension.
Around you,
The sounds of the forest,
The soft rustle of immense leaves and the faint whispers of the flowers soothe every muscle.
Three,
Your shoulders drop,
Arms feel heavy as you inhale the warm,
Fragrant air of tropical blooms.
Its perfume offers a bone-deep sense of sleepiness and tranquility.
Two,
Your neck and jaw soften and your lips part just enough to feel the misty air on your tongue.
One,
From the ground of your head to the very tips of your fingers and toes,
Your entire being is cloaked in the loveliness of this sweet escape.
In this protective orb of peace,
All the outside world fades away and you are free to explore this enchanting realm as our story begins.
A wise soul once expressed,
Sometimes feeling small is exactly what is needed.
The vastness and the grandness of this planet are constant and beautiful reminders that although we are small,
We are part of something big.
There is an enchanted forest just beyond the stream.
Step over its pearlescent blue water and stones smoothed by time and you sense the immediate shift,
Embracing your own smallness in the infinite universe as you enter the forest of giant flora.
No one quite knows why the flowers grow as high as maple trees or how a single blade of emerald grass stands as tall as a common reed or bamboo.
In this botanical oasis,
Animal and human souls alike are reminded of nature's grand beauty,
Finding comfort in its endless nooks and cozy spots.
What a relief one feels,
Stepping into a forest that takes care of you,
Requiring nothing more from you but to be honored and enjoyed.
To enter the sanctuary is to step out of the frantic current of the outer world and into a stillness that has existed since the dawn of the earth.
Long before you arrived,
This forest matured in the quiet cradles of hidden valleys,
Protected by the giant redwoods whose roots run together,
Connected eternally.
It is a place of ancient architecture where the very soil is infused with a memory of starlight and the gentle,
Slow growth of centuries.
Impatience has no place in the enchanted forest of giant blooms.
Tonight the air is a velvet tapestry,
Cool against your skin and perfumed with a concentrated sweetness of gigantic wildflowers and the earthy grounding scent of rain-touched cedar.
You find yourself wrapped in garments made of fabrics so light they feel like a second skin.
Every kiss of the night air finds its way through their weaves,
Meeting you with a cool reprieve and awareness of your body in this land of ginormous blooms.
Your clothing billows or rather flutters like the wings of a butterfly,
Moving in perfect harmony with your own form.
As you walk,
You feel a profound liquid relief.
The fluidity of the stream between realms has left its mark and you emulate its slow,
Gentle movements.
In the enchanted forest,
You are so small and because you are small,
The world becomes a place of infinite,
Curated care.
Relieving yourself of all that you have carried today,
The landscape now carries you.
The path beneath your feet is a masterwork of natural wonder.
What would be mere pebbles in your own garden are now grand,
Smooth boulders polished by time into soft,
Luminous spheres that catch the moonlight and cast it back in waves of pale silver.
Each step is an effortless glide.
Beside the path,
Elevated walkways constructed from the iridescent woven veins of fallen leaves and braided tendrils of grass wind gracefully around towering stalks of wildflowers.
These paths rise and fall,
Forming bridges and offering many gently rocking vantage points.
They coil around blades of grass as high as trees in the forests of your homeland.
Every sensation here is an invitation to exhale,
To feel the forest carrying you,
To notice how deeply it wants you to rest.
You come upon a series of hammocks suspended like delicate slings between the bowed stems of the heavy heads of poppies.
Their silky fibers form webs that are resilient,
Yet impossibly soft.
You feel their gentle tension beneath your weight as you lower yourself in.
The hammock rocks slowly,
The cradle of living fibers that reminds you once more to slow down.
Whispers from the forest invite you to surrender.
You tilt back,
Arms trailing along the silver cords,
Your heart open to the night,
Hoping to linger in this liberating sensation as long as time allows.
A low vibrating song reverberates from the blooms,
Soothing your muscles with a delicate pulse.
For as long as you like,
You simply exist here,
Suspended between the earth and the canopy,
Like a bird in a nest.
You simply focus on how good it feels.
As you take in the beauty of the forest,
A sense of curiosity rises and you yearn to experience more.
You rise slowly from the hammock,
Your toes pressed into the soft springy moss below.
As you continue onward,
Stepping onto the pathway enroute to the bloom baths,
You soon discover the journey is as satisfying as the destination itself.
Each stride is an invitation into a landscape designed for play and profound ease.
Here,
The grass is a forest in its own right.
The blades soaring like emerald pillars,
Their surfaces waxy and cool against your fingertips.
You find a broad gentle slope,
A blade of grass curved toward the earth,
The size of an adult slide.
You perch yourself atop it and simply let go.
The slow,
Playful descent brings a radiant smile to your face as you trust the velvet grip to safely deliver you to a sprawling bed of star moss.
The moss compresses with a sigh and you let out a spontaneous and joyous laugh.
It holds you as you peer through the canopy above and then down at the forest floor.
The village of mushroom cottages appears below,
Looking like a collection of warm glowing lanterns.
You press yourself up from the bed of star moss,
Almost reluctant to leave and continue onward.
The ascent is steady,
The air thinning into a crisp floral sweetness,
The tastes of honeysuckle and night-blooming nectar.
Elevated walkways of silvery green vines and waxy leaves spiral around the stalks.
Each step is cushioned by layers of fallen flower petals,
Taking the pressure off your feet.
And as the walkway rises,
Sometimes curling gently over the edge of a blade of grass as wide as a bridge,
You feel a thrilling mixture of anticipation and ease.
Around you,
The forest is alive in nocturnal splendor.
A moth's wings brush past softly.
A distant owl tilts its head toward the sound of a rustling fern and hoots and fireflies drift,
Leaving a faint trail of luminescence that dances across your shoulders as you pass.
You arrive at the soaring bloom baths.
The petals slope gently downward,
Forming a natural cascade that leads from one flowering bath into the next.
At the top of the bloom baths,
You discover a small alcove tucked into the curve of the petals.
This hollowed,
Private changing room is made of fine,
Flexible twigs and slender vines.
A place where you may prepare for the baths.
The twigs bend and curve naturally,
Forming a protective dome and small tendrils of fragrant flowers curl around the edges,
Brushing softly against your skin.
A delicate,
Magical elevator,
The shape of a wicker birdcage,
Opens with a basket for your belongings.
Your bag,
Slippers,
And trinkets.
You place them within.
As you close the small door,
It safely lowers to the base and all your items remain dry and wait for you as you make your way through the healing waters.
You step up to the summit of the first bloom,
A deep purple giant with unfurling petals as lush as the curtains of an amphitheater.
From this bird's-eye view,
The highest point you've experienced so far.
The forest spreads out below in waves of silvered moss,
Jewel-toned flowers,
And shadowy emerald greens.
You inhale the rich,
Intoxicating scent of violets.
At the hollowed heart of the bloom lies a basin of crystal-clear water glowing with a soft violet light.
You carefully settle into its warm,
Rippling waters as the silky water rises over your shoulders and softly licks the tips of your ears.
The petals softly vibrate and you breathe along with their movements.
Inhaling deeply,
The petals expand and their pointed tips reach for the stars.
And as you exhale,
The basin sinks deeper into the support of its stem,
Inviting you to settle.
Each ripple of water carries mental clarity and calm,
Easing the tightness in your muscles and the thoughts lingering in your mind.
Time slows and your mind drifts and tethered,
Weightless,
Fully supported by the flower's protective petals.
The purple petals share the wisdom of the forest with you.
A gentle current begins to spill from them,
Carrying you gently toward an electric blue blossom whose vast petals stretch outward like a quiet ocean under a starlit sky.
The violet glow fades into deep cerulean waters,
Cool and luminous,
Filled with the aromas of exotic floral notes and midnight dew.
As you drift in this serene path,
Your body feels lighter,
Your chest expanding and releasing,
Your muscles loosening as if floating on air.
The blue waters carry peace and reflection,
Encouraging your mind to soften and settle.
The coolness is a salve for all inflammation.
Felt in your body and experienced in your thoughts,
It acts as an extinguisher for anything that dares to interrupt the healing powers of its deep,
Tranquil blues.
From the edge of the blue basin,
You lower yourself down into a pool within a pink bloom.
In the shifting gradient from rosy pink to deep fuchsia,
Your body softens in the rose gold light.
An aromatic blend of soft rose and cherry blossom notes rises on the soft steam of the pink water.
This blossom offers emotional healing and maternal softness,
Reminding you to tend to your own heart.
Your head rests on the petals which seem to whisper the reminders that you are loved,
That you are held.
A wave of sleepiness comes in as your body surrenders to being profoundly safe and nurtured.
But you push this feeling off for just a little while longer and float down a shallow waterfall.
The cascade leads you to a soft amber bloom,
Its petals glowing like warm candlelight,
Casting a golden honeyed luminescence over the entire bath.
The scent is a mix of honey,
Vanilla,
And toasted petals that smell like almonds.
Nurturing but not stimulating,
The amber waters carry a sense of gentle reassurance and quiet energy,
Allowing your body to feel fully replenished and cozy while leaving your mind serene and light.
Near the base of the blooms,
You peer up at the pink,
Blue,
And purple baths above and watch the sparkling water magically transform as it travels to you.
The purple,
Blue,
Pink,
And amber waters mingle in a slow,
Luminous current.
A river of scent,
Color,
And sensation cradling your entire being.
Above,
The moon drifts high in the indigo black sky,
Silver light sifting through the massive canopy of leaves and petals.
From crown to soles,
Your body is fully embraced by the gentle blow of the flowers light,
Warm to the core.
Knowing it's not possible to feel more relaxed,
Your eyes slowly from the golden amber bath,
You step carefully from the bloom,
Your feet sinking once more into a carpet of moths and come to the changing room where a warm towel waits.
You dry off and change into your soft clothes.
Your body feels loose and warm as if every muscle has quietly sighed in relief and in a state of absolute contentment.
You begin your way back to the mushroom cottage village.
Tiny lights flicker ahead.
Fireflies drift lazily through the air,
Neon yellow orbs hovering just above the pollen.
They move with a slow,
Deliberate grace,
Leaving their quiet magic into the night.
Beneath the giant blooms,
Other small creatures stir.
A hedgehog curling beneath a tall bed of forget-me-nots.
Rabbits tucked in the folds of powder pink petals.
A doe and her fawns curled up at the trunk of a stargazer lily.
The forest feels alive in the gentlest way and you are part of its graceful,
Nocturnal tempo.
Breathing in the fragrant perfume of honeysuckle and carrying the lingering amber warmth of the baths.
As you continue,
The forest opens into a small glade where other souls have gathered.
Humans,
Animals,
And beings you might only glimpse out of the corner of your eye.
Sprites with translucent wings hover,
Sprinkling faint motes of light.
A soft dust of sleepy magic settling over the forest.
Tiny fairies tiptoe along the edges of the glade,
Leaving trails of shimmering powder on leaves and petals.
Creatures of the forest,
Foxes,
Owls,
And even a stag rest nearby,
Their eyes gleaming with quiet awareness.
Among them,
You notice figures like yourself.
Strangers and friends from different eras.
Their faces serene,
Soft smiles reflecting in the firelight.
In the center of the clearing,
A low communal fire flickers,
Though its light is gentle and golden,
More like a glow than a blaze.
Everyone sits around it,
The warmth reaching your shoulders and hands without disturbing the night's cool hush.
You settle on a soft patch of moss,
Your body folding into the ground as the fire's light dances across your face.
From somewhere above,
A gentle breeze rustles the canopy of blooms,
Carrying the fragrance of the forest that now mingles with the burning wood.
You notice how the firelight reflects in the eyes of those around you.
Other humans laughing softly,
While some are silent and contemplative,
All seem to share the quiet magic of this moment.
You sense that many of your new neighbors have come from other times in history,
For this timeless realm serves all who need this escape.
As the flames dim down into molten magenta embers,
You feel yourself being drawn toward the village of mushroom cottages nestled among the ancient redwoods.
The path is lit by the soft glow of bioluminescent moss and the occasional firefly or fairy drifting along the way.
The cottages are charming,
Dotted whimsical dwellings in deep scarlet,
Orange-red,
And blue.
Their domed roofs,
Shaped like large mushroom caps,
Are preserved and shellacked so the surfaces gleam faintly in the night.
The largest of the cottages rises two stories with upper lofts,
Offering the perfect place for dreaming.
Each cottage smells faintly of warm earth,
Polished wood,
And faint herbs tucked between the beams.
Candles illuminate the windows.
These tiny flickering flames are a promise of coziness and comfort within.
You step closer to your own cottage.
Outside a lantern hangs,
Its golden glow flickering across the gentle slope leading to the front door.
The exterior is a fairytale mix of mushroom curves and creeping ivy.
The door opens easily at your touch,
Revealing the interior.
Within the open concept space,
The room is quiet,
Scented faintly by cedar,
Lavender,
And the earthy warmth of the forest.
The ceiling follows the gentle curve of a mushroom cap and tiny wooden beams support shelves holding jars of herbs,
Tiny curiosities,
And books whose pages seem to shimmer slightly in the candlelight.
A large mattress sits tucked in the loft,
Covered in a plush mulberry and evergreen comforter,
Layered with pillows.
On the bedside table,
An antique lantern casts a steady,
Calming glow.
And nearby,
A pair of pajama suites,
Soft and familiar,
Inviting you to slip into their comfort.
You ascend the wooden steps into the loft,
Move to the bed slowly and prepare for sleep.
The gentle creak of the wooden floor beneath your feet,
The delicate dance of candlelight,
And the grounding aromas of home heighten the sense of sleepiness that takes hold.
Climbing in,
The blankets fold softly around you,
The pillows cradle your head.
You sink into the mattress,
Feeling the support beneath every curve of your body,
The warmth of the room,
And the lingering magic of the forest drifting in on a cool breeze from the open window.
The moon glows faintly above the canopy of redwoods and wild flowers,
Its silver light sifting through the petals,
Painting delicate patterns across the loft from the skylights.
The forest continues its nocturnal melody,
All the while letting you know you are safe,
Small,
And entirely held.
As you drift to sleep,
The candlelight flickers gently then steadies.
The forest continues its tender watch and the moon sinks even lower.
Every breath grows slower,
More deeper,
More effortless.
And in this perfect state,
You give in to the sweet,
Persistent tug of slumber,
Finding comfort,
Finding tranquility,
Finding magic,
Finding sleep.
You
