The Midnight Flowers | Sleep Story

Buddha once said, “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. ” Stroll through Central Park on a rainy night with your dog. You discover a bag of flowers discarded by the local market. You rescue them and return to your cozy apartment, where you sit by the fire and assemble them into arrangements that bring the promise of spring. You fall asleep as rain pelts on the window and the fragrant flowers soothe you. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Your best night of sleep begins with this calm bedtime story for grown-ups.

You're listening to the Midnight Flowers.

In the sleep story you enjoy a mystical night walk in Central Park with your dog before a rainstorm arrives.

On the way to your cozy apartment you discover a bag brimming with dozens of vivid flowers discarded by the corner market.

You return home and as the rain pelts against the bay windows you sit by the fire and assemble the flowers in colorful arrangements that offer the promise of spring.

You give them one last time to shine and this conjures feelings of hope and awakens your artistic side.

Buddha expressed,

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.

Surrounded by the soothing floral perfumes of salvaged flowers that have traveled across the world,

You open your heart to the possibility of change before you fall into a deep sleep.

It's time to dream away.

I would like to welcome you to Michelle's sanctuary.

I am Michelle and when you listen think of my voice as that of a childhood friend who encourages you to be your authentic self.

Let my words remind you of the parts of yourself that are uniquely yours as you celebrate what you love most about being you.

Remember the ability you have to transform your thoughts into inspirational dreams.

Use your unlimited imagination to self soothe during the sacred time before bed.

Your bedtime ritual should be treated as a vacation each night.

A time for fun,

Whimsy and to be spoiled.

Sleep is a priority but not all priorities need to come with stress.

This priority comes with joy and serenity.

Customize this experience in the way that works for you.

Skip ahead to the story or enjoy a brief meditation.

Remember you are free to fall asleep at any point.

There is no right way to do this.

There is only the way that works best for you and you know what you need better than anyone else.

Open your mouth and sigh.

Let go.

In the sanctuary of your room,

In the sanctuary of your body,

You can let everything go.

Worries and concerns may spill out of you with this breath and disappear into the vast night.

Don't let anything interfere with this reverential moment for winding down.

When you are ready,

Take in a deep breath.

Sip in oxygen through pursed lips or your nose.

As you fill yourself with air,

Imagine filling yourself with tenderness and love.

You're okay.

You are safe.

You are in a cocoon of peace.

Open your mouth into a yawn and when you yawn,

You signal to your body that you are safe enough to let down your guard.

Sigh.

Release.

Surrender and breathe at your own pace as you inhale again and savor every oxygen molecule that brings you peace and life.

Even when you are oblivious,

Your body breathes in and out in a constant stream of flowing energy.

Yawn.

Luxuriate in the sleepy feeling as you sigh when you exhale and let go.

Enjoy one more round of conscious breathing like this on your own.

Tailor this experience to what you need.

And when you are done,

Sink deeper into your bed.

Feel your heavy lids on your tired eyes.

Shutting out all the noise and activity of the external world.

Notice how you are even more relaxed than moments ago.

It is time for the story to begin.

City lights reflect on the rippling ebony puddles of West Drive in Central Park.

The road curves around semi-frozen knolls and bridle paths that surround Central Park Lake and the Boathouse.

Muddy tufts of melting snow shimmer in the warm glow of streetlamps.

The beauty of prismatic melting droplets trickling down the old snow piles distracts you from the bleakness of a late night on the cusp of spring.

In a short while the park will be alive with cherry blossoms and picnickers basking in warm sunlight.

But on this misty night you enjoy the quietude of having the famous park to yourself and your pup.

Occasionally you cross paths with a familiar face and familiar dog that you have casually acknowledged through the diverse array of days and nights throughout the four seasons that you have walked with your dog.

The air smells metallic and clean with the promise of more rain on the way.

A sharp gust of wind makes you grateful for the fleece lining of your plush coat and hood.

Your parka is so warm that you cannot feel the nip in the air.

The breeze provides a massage against your back that you enjoy.

Your pup is enlivened by the cool air and skips ahead playfully leading you towards your quaint street.

You step on the glistening sidewalk where copper decaying leaves are soft like wet tissue paper.

There is something melancholic yet beautiful in their decay.

A reminder that nothing lasts forever including the stormy night.

Tiny buds bravely make their appearances on the skeletal twigs and branches that create a silhouette against the colorful lights of midtown Manhattan.

They dare to pop up as if they trust the last frost is behind them.

You approach the imagined mosaic,

A stone tribute to John Lennon set in the pavement surrounded by benches and the entrance to strawberry fields.

During the days tourists from around the world congregate and take photos as buskers play the most beloved hits of McCartney and Lennon.

The melodies linger on this quiet night.

A single purple rose rests diagonally across the top of the memorial.

Imagine the lyrics of the song come as a whisper on the wind.

Imagine all the people living life in peace.

On a night like this it isn't hard to do.

You can imagine a peaceful world with ease on this night as you walk by the iconic Dakota building and the majestic Beaux Arts buildings along Central Park West.

Fellow residents are tucked indoors with a gilded glow of lights illuminating the historic apartments.

You occasionally see the silhouette of a neighbor walking by the window in a plush bathroom or reading a book in their living rooms that look out into the street.

Most of the windows are dark for many Upper West Siders have fallen asleep as the clock is about to strike midnight.

Taxis and city buses lend a hum and occasional whoosh of ambient sound as they peel down the slick avenues.

A few large snowflakes fall from the purple gray skies cast in the bleary lights of a glowing city.

Just a few degrees warmer and these lacy flurries will change over to rain.

Your dog hops over puddles like a trained pro as you walk west to your home.

You pass by a pizzeria that sells slices to late-night revelers,

College students,

And night shift workers until sunrise.

A delivery person opens the door and a warm breeze carries the yeasty aroma of fresh baked crust and the tangy fragrance of tomato sauce out onto the street.

A gust of wind changes the air and the first fat raindrops splat on the sidewalk.

A doorman stands outside the revolving doors of a luxurious high-rise building that appears to be made entirely of glass in certain lighting conditions.

His breath condenses on the air and he smiles kindly.

Though you have never spoken,

The routine exchange has happened hundreds of times on your night walks.

Your nightly interaction is proof.

The communication does not need words to convey friendliness and kind wishes.

You come upon towering white scaffolding outside of a local market where people travel from all over the neighborhood to shop.

Icicle holiday lights dangle from the gleaming white steel beams and remain well past the holiday season to offer a safe inviting glow.

The rain comes down harder but you're dry beneath the temporary 12-story structure.

Your dog curiously walks towards the curb where bags of refuse are piled high.

The air smells of spring,

Of fragrant roses and sweet lilies,

Daisies and hydrangeas.

You investigate the source of the pleasant aroma and find a clear plastic bag brimming with bouquets of discarded unsold flowers.

The bag sits atop an aging mound of gray snow.

Illuminated by the twinkling lights,

The rainbow of petals reflects onto a wide puddle in the street.

The reflection is silky and hypnotic,

Interrupted by ripples created by persistent drops of cold rain.

The image stays with you and captures the convergence of winter and spring.

This crossover period of gloom and beauty.

The abandoned flowers have even more value on a night like this and their vibrance is amplified by the great rear of March.

You begin to sift through the bag and your fingers gracefully run across the long dark green stems.

A sanitation truck barrels down the street,

Pausing before every commercial building.

Sanitation workers hop on and off and throw the piles of trash into the truck.

Impulsively you lift the heavy bag and take all the flowers.

You simply cannot leave them on the curb and feel a stirring desire to bring them back to life.

You adjust your hood so it covers your head and dips over your eyes to shelter your face from the rain.

You hoist the bag of floral wonders over your left shoulder while holding the dog leash in your right hand.

Your dog is excited.

He senses the mischief in your eyes as you implore him to race ahead and run between the drops of rain.

Together you skip over puddles with a sense of wonder and joy that flows as freely as the rain.

Strange thing for adults to dampen their elation when the most natural response from a happy child is to express it by excitedly moving their bodies.

For a moment you wonder why we are conditioned to suppress,

Contain,

And hold back expressions of pure bliss.

It feels good to let them out.

A wave of warmth courses through your veins when you celebrate this moment on a stormy night.

You unlock the door of your building and step into the dry foyer.

Your pup shakes off the rain and once freed from their leash races you up two flights of stairs to your cherished apartment.

You balance the bag of flowers on your back and feel the strength of your leg muscles as you ascend.

Your heart beats faster and your breathing rate increases.

You count each step as you go.

You feel deep gratitude for your health and stamina,

Appreciating all the wonderful things your body does for you.

You may get to the second flight of stairs.

The steps creak in familiar tones and sound off even louder with the added weight of the bag.

Each sound comes as a reminder that you are home,

That you are safe.

You count the final steps.

One,

Two,

Three,

Four,

Five,

Six,

Seven,

Eight,

Nine,

Ten.

You arrive at the landing and walk down the sapphire blue carpeted hallway.

Dark blue wallpaper with gold damask patterns covers the wall above shiny mahogany wood panels first installed during the Victorian era.

The building has a feeling of being lived in,

Worn in like a beloved pair of slippers.

You can imagine all the souls to walk these halls before you,

Comforted by the thick insulated walls and the artistic nooks and crannies.

The townhouse is a place to hide away in a big city,

A dwelling so intimate that you easily forget the bustling urban energy when inside.

The door to your apartment is painted in a soothing shade of marine blue with a gleaming brass knocker in its center.

The opulent blues are nautical and oftentimes like on dreamy nights like this.

You feel as though you're floating and gliding through the building.

You press the key into the lock and a familiar click opens the door into your apartment.

The soft hiss of a radiator greets you and the smell of the rescued flowers permeates the dry air.

You walk through the hall to the kitchen and place down the bag.

Your pet patiently waits on the tiled floor to be dried off.

You grab a towel off a wall hook and lovingly pat them dry.

You look deep into these eyes that love and adore you unconditionally.

The feeling of mutual trust that you share at times surpasses the deepest bonds you have felt with people.

When stride your pup races into the living room,

You carry the bag of flowers across the floor and place them in the heart of the room.

The ceilings are high and lofty.

The walls have original moldings that add charm to the room.

The moldings create an ivory frame around the walls that have been painted in your favorite color.

There's a fireplace in the middle of an exposed brick wall.

The mantle above it is lined with picture frames collected from neighborhood antique shops over time.

They feature photos of you at your happiest in nature with loved ones and during your proudest moments.

You grab a long match from a box that rests on the mantle.

You strike it and a flame erupts.

You ignite the crumpled balls of wadded newspaper placed beneath kindling to start a fire.

The fireplace has been prepared for weeks and tonight is the perfect night to enjoy it.

The allure of staying up late to celebrate your findings delays the tired feeling you may have felt on the walk.

With a second wind you add a log to the fire.

Your dog sniffs at the bag of rescued flowers as the flames grow and shadows dance on the walls.

You lift the bag and scatter the flowers across the hardwood floors.

They form a two foot high heap of stems and a kaleidoscope of petals.

These flowers have traveled around the world.

Some with labels from Colombia and Ecuador.

You remove the bouquets from the crinkly plastic wrappings and separate the good from the bad.

Of the dozens of flowers in each bouquet only one or two has gone bad.

Being able to save the rest fills your heart with warmth.

Your dog eagerly circles the growing piles of colorful flowers sniffing the air and each plant.

You sense they have missed the warm weather plants as much as you.

You imagine the tropical landscapes of Colombia and Ecuador rich with green fauna and vibrant exotic flowers throughout the year.

You close your eyes and for a moment you can feel the tropical breeze and visualize the palm fronds cast against a starry sky and luminous crescent moon.

These flowers in their tropical habitat have seen more in their short lives than many people ever will.

You long for a tropical escape yet at the same time you appreciate the sound of the rain and the fog that forms on the tall windows of your apartment.

There is beauty and comfort to be found in the contrasting swings between grays and blacks and vibrant hues between the cold rain and the fireside refuge in your cozy apartment.

For all the unpleasantries and discomforts in life there are complimentary comforts that offer balance.

Hardship makes you cherish these comforts more.

In a fireplace that has warmed generations of dwellers in this urban haven the fire emits an amber glow as you begin to assemble the flowers.

Stargazer lilies with their white and fuchsia petals are a day from being in full bloom yet their perfume is strong with creamy intoxicating notes of honey and cloves.

Dozens of roses aromatize the air with a subtler and more recognizable smell.

You carefully avoid the thorns and run your fingers over the delicate velvety petals.

Peach,

Lavender,

Mauve,

Scarlet and ivory roses pepper the bunches.

Plush hydrangeas in shades of periwinkle and cotton white are like clouds of petals that cascade out of the thick stems as they rest on the waxy dark green leaves.

Your dog settles in a fuzzy bed by the fire and watches as you explore the flowers you can see where the decay spreads.

You imagine the gratitude the healthy flowers feel no longer bunched with the flowers that landed them in a heap of trash.

They have another chance to shine and bloom in the warmth and safety of your home.

The sounds of crackling and popping embers are met with a sigh from your dog.

You sigh as well feeling more relaxed and at peace than you have in some time.

The rain pelts on the windows you are deeply grateful for this moment.

You are completely present with no thoughts of the past or future.

You methodically pair tiny carnations with white petals spray painted by Mother Nature with pops of raspberry pink with cotton candy pink roses.

Mulberry purple dahlias remind you of sea anemones found in tropical waters.

Calla lilies have the graceful ivory and salmon pink curls of a conch shell.

The diversity in this beauty reveals the majesty of Mother Nature.

Because beyond your imagination you think of Buddha saying the miracle of one of these flowers offers wisdom that could change your life.

These flowers grow and thrive no matter what any human may say.

They grow without judgment.

They grow on their timing never rushed or hurried.

As you arrange the flowers you create something new from your imagination.

You instinctively select colors that soothe you when placed together.

You add a pop of yellow,

A pop of orange based on how you feel.

This practice deepens your understanding of what makes you feel happy.

You arrange based on sensations how a certain color or shape makes you feel when paired together.

Access to all these shapes and colors brings the artistic freedom that a child feels when their standard box of eight classic crayons is replaced with a box of a hundred colors.

The nuances of each flower is amplified with the right arrangement and you take this seriously.

But rather than feel pressure you feel inspired.

It feels good to care about this.

These flowers are an unexpected gift from the universe.

In the stillness of the late night tucked away in a townhouse apartment in the center of a city of millions.

You realize you are the only one having this perfect experience right now.

As the rain continues to wash away the last of winter your apartment becomes a nursery that heals flowers and heals you.

You off to your kitchen to gather vases and mason jars to house the floral arrangements.

You grab a pair of scissors on the way to trim the sturdy stems with care.

You avoid the thorns on the long stemmed roses.

A reminder that even the most beautiful of life's creations may also bring pain and that is okay.

Peace and forgiveness grow out of acceptance of this idea.

Pain is a part of the human experience but you always have the power to focus on goodness and abundance.

We focus on the thorns or you may focus on the petals.

The choice is yours.

Your eyes become heavy and tired.

More time has passed than you realized in the Zen experience of assembling flowers.

You finish the last bouquet and place them in a mason jar surrounded by a circle of colorful arrangements.

Rich reds,

Pinks and purples come together like a sunset bouquet.

A vase filled with cream and peach roses reminds you of a bowl of peach cobbler and whipped cream on a summer night.

A small sunflower is centered between tiger lilies,

White tulips and bright orange gerbera daisies that remind you of the blazing hot sun on a July afternoon.

Your actions have extended the lives of these flowers for many more days.

You scatter the six overflowing arrangements around the living room saving your favorite for the nightstand in your bedroom.

The sweet floral air marries spicy notes of wood smoke as the fire burns down into glowing magenta embers.

You grab a broom and dustpan from a closet and sweep up the scraps of leaves and cut stems.

You feel a sense of deep accomplishment that fosters a yearning for sleep and rest.

Come morning you will awaken to the sun streaming into the apartment as it illuminates the delicate petals in shades of cream,

Yellow,

Orange,

Pink,

Red,

Purple and blue in golden light.

You prepare for bed changing into your warmest pajamas and washing away the day from your face.

Even after you wash your hands in soap a trace of rose petal perfume remains.

You brush your teeth and catch your reflection in the bathroom mirror.

You look happier than you have looked in a long time.

It is late and you are tired.

Yet despite this you look refreshed and rejuvenated.

Your eyes sparkle with vitality.

You smile and sigh.

It was a wonderful night of surprises.

You take your favorite arrangement and bring it to the bedroom and place it on the nightstand.

It will be the first thing you see when you awaken to a new day.

A morning reminder of the wonders to be found in your life and in this world.

Your pet follows you into the dark bedroom.

Blackout drapes made of thick linen in your favorite colors.

Blackout the city lights and all the sounds but for the trickle of rain down the window.

You pull back the blankets and your dog hops onto the bed.

You climb onto the mattress next to them and snuggle as they sigh and rest against your body.

You sink into the foam mattress that supports every nook of your joints and contours around your curves.

The thick plaster walls of the townhouse offer protection and a sense of peace.

You float and drift towards sleep.

Breathing in and out.

The soft perfume of the fresh cut flowers soothes you.

The crisp cotton sheets wrap around you in a cocoon and the body heat of your pet adds another level of comfort to the experience.

You are safe.

You are fulfilled.

You are brimming with hope and gratitude.

Your heart is warm and open to the magical dreams to come.

The soundtrack of falling rain blurs you deeper and deeper down until you can no longer resist the lure of sleep.

And I am going to count you down to a night of deep and healing sleep.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

Finding bliss.

Finding balance.

Finding hope.

Finding peace.

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

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Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

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Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Reviews

I can always count on Michelle for a great story and a wonderful night’s sleep.

Thank you Michelle❣️ You introduced me to sleep stories and I am hooked. Blessings 🙏🏽

Another great bedtime story! Thank you kindly for these incredible stories that put me to sleep ! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Thank you very much for your beautiful stories which allows me to fall asleep.

Beautiful imagery

I absolutely love love your stories!

Didn’t even hear it

Wonderful sleep meditation story.

Thanks Michelle. Your meditations really are the best ❤

Thank you 🙏

Lovely, as are all your sleep stories and I will go back and listen again so I can hear the ending! Thank you for these gentle and imaginative paths to sleep.

Wonderful relaxing meditation session. It’s very effective. Thank you 🙏

🙏🏻😴🦋💗🙏🏻And...love that feedback, Kelly, that’s a good one, I agree

💙”You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”💙