Smile and relax in this mental vacation that you may enjoy before you fall fast asleep.
You are listening to The Shore Cottage,
A bedtime story for grownups to help you use your imagination to self-soothe and drift to beautiful places.
In tonight's sleep story,
Travel through time and space to an idyllic village on the shore.
You walk on the beach with your beloved pup at nightfall as the neon lights of an amusement park reflect on the ocean.
You ride on a wave of jubilant summer reflections triggered by the smells of intoxicating confections.
Standing at the end of a pier,
You watch a storm out at sea and revel in the wonders of nature as a cold front moves in with a reprieve from hot,
Humid air.
You return to a row of pastel-hued storybook homes and retreat to your Victorian cottage to fall into a deep sleep.
It's time to dream away.
I would like to welcome you to Michelle's Sanctuary.
I am Michelle,
Your guide on the sensory exploration that will bring you peace.
Think of my voice as that of a loyal friend who has your back.
In a world that often belittles the importance of sleep and self-care,
Deep down we know better you deserve deep rest and to eliminate all concerns from your mind in the sacred time for rest.
Your body and mind function best when you honor the restoration needs.
Feel a wave of contentment wash over you.
Create the sanctuary of your room and bed where you may dream and connect with the deepest parts of yourself.
And as you do,
You remember who you are and imagine who you wish to be.
Customize your experience as we go along.
You may skip ahead to the story or treat yourself to a few deep breaths in a guided meditation to prime you for a trip to the shore.
And if you fall asleep before the story ends,
You are welcome to return and listen again.
Sink into your bed and wiggle like a child.
Comforted by soft blankets and the sweet snuggling sensation that brings tingles in your body.
Relax your jaw and softly smile.
You are allowed and I encourage you to feel good simply for the sake of enjoying your body.
Open your mouth into a guilt-free yawn and sigh.
As you exhale,
Make a sound like the shush of an ocean wave.
As you discover a deepening sense of peace,
Visualize the barrel of a turquoise wave and let it be your tunnel of serenity and safe haven from the outside world.
Sip in your next breath through your nose.
Your nostrils prepare the air before it arrives in your lungs.
And the air is humid and takes on the sweet,
Salty smell of the ocean at the height of summer.
Your torso expands with this breath and the salt water air purifies and heals you.
You yawn again and give your body full permission to surrender.
Your body becomes soft as you sink into your bed and sigh again.
The ebb and flow of your breath has the relaxed quality you may have experienced after spending a day lounging on the beach without a care.
You enjoy one more round of conscious breathing on your own,
At the pace that feels right.
And recognize the rise and fall of your belly and chest like the incoming tide.
As you surrender,
Stand down and just feel good.
It's time for the story to begin.
As individuals and as a society,
We have always known that things could be better.
Perhaps fear of change or failure,
Or doubts that we could ever break the patterns of history or intercept things beyond our sense of control,
Seem to hinder the unlimited possibilities for an ideal world.
Yet all we desired and all we deserved was never as far away as it seemed.
It just took a bit for us to collectively imagine better and become better,
And encourage those around us to be better as well.
The shore is a place where all those silent prayers,
Wistful yearnings,
Sometimes desperate pleas,
Collective change and hopeful whispers over generations have become a reality.
And you travel through time and space to experience it.
Some years the heat and humidity of July arrives to the shore weeks before the school year ends,
And a time before the beaches become a lively patchwork of beach towels,
Sandcastles,
And striped umbrellas in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Your feet land on the cool,
Damp sand and leave impressions that the frothy incoming waves wash away in their wake.
On this dreamy night,
The energy at the shore feels simultaneously familiar and different.
You wrap a nylon dog leash around your palm as your pup races ahead of you down the wet sand for many yards before circling back.
Your dog is as excited as a child on their birthday,
Eager to discover the untouched sand before you.
They swiftly return with a panting smile and muzzle covered in an icing of sand,
Beckoning you to explore with a playful bark.
It warms your heart knowing your bond is so strong that your dog will always return to you,
Just the same as your pet is full of trust that you will always be there.
You both may relish this final week of off-leash moments permitted on the beach before the summer crowds arrive.
The tide is high and the beach is at its narrowest for the day.
You walk close to the boardwalk as the chilly salt water cascades over your feet before it retreats into the seemingly endless,
Glittering ocean.
It is a blessing to be an early-arriver in the shoulder season.
The neon lights of the amusement park come back to life and reflect on the rippling Atlantic like an oil painting.
All kinks are worked through as the beach town teems with anticipation for the most beloved peak season.
The rhythm of the seasons is comforting with its predictability.
The smells of kettle corn,
Cheese fries,
And cotton candy compete with the briny aroma of the salt water air.
Your fragrant notes hang heavily in the unseasonably hot humidity.
But these are not merely the smells of popular concessions.
They are the olfactory keys that unlock memories of first kisses,
Promises made under the boardwalk,
And dreams cast on stars on perfect summer nights that make one believe anything is possible.
The air is so thick that it feels like walking through a warm cloud and the contrast with the cool,
Wet sand amplifies your awareness.
The ocean would feel almost too cold without the humid air to soften it.
Your dog charges ahead to greet a couple holding hands and walking towards you.
All into their late 80s,
The pair dresses similarly in nautical striped shirts and navy slacks.
Their silvery white hair shines like the crescent moon,
And their tanned wrinkled skin reveals stories of summers spent soaking up the sun.
Their eyes tell another story,
Offering a glint of deep appreciation and reverence for this time in history.
They endured the trials and tribulations of the past to gratefully live out their last chapter in a world that has evolved into a kind,
Nurturing place for everyone and every generation.
The couple wishes you and your pup a good night,
And their voices convey empathy and compassion.
You realize you are more perceptive to nuances than you ever have been before.
There are uplifting revelations in the smallest of gestures and subtlest of tones.
These small glimpses empower you to recognize so much more has been going on in your waking life than you realized.
Rather than overthinking or being stuck in a state of judgment,
You rely on all your senses.
You appreciate your sensitivities in this new world where they are celebrated and enrich the experience of being alive.
You call to your dog and attach the leash to their harness.
You ascend the sand-dusted wooden stairs to the boardwalk.
The weathered planks creak beneath your bare soles.
You come to the top to find your sneakers in a row of shoes left from other beach walkers.
Every time you come upon this eccentric trail of shoes that have supported many souls on adventures,
You smile with the inherent trust that it is always safe to leave your shoes with a certainty.
They will be there when you return.
The safety is yet another benefit of life at the shore.
Edison light bulbs dangle around the pavilion and their gold filaments twinkle with reminders of carnivals from long ago.
Left-serve ice cream piles atop waffle cones in twisted towers,
Coated with a blanket of rainbow sprinkles held in the hands of children and adults.
Each candy sprinkle is a joyous representation of the wishes that come true and warm feelings that arise on this enchanting night.
The ice cream melts fast and creates creamy rainbow streams so colorful they seem fantastical and cartoonish.
And those who enjoy these runny treats are in a race against the heat,
Laughing as they try to beat the clock and savor the frozen treat before it melts completely.
It reminds you of the happy moments we collect in this life and aim to hold onto before they slip away.
Beneath a red and white striped umbrella is a candy stand with an array of apples coated in caramel,
Nuts,
Chocolate,
And glossy red hard candy.
A college student named Cassidy operates the concession,
Having just finished another semester to return to the shore for the season.
She could not wait to reopen the family business,
First operated by her great-grandfather who came from the old world,
While in the process of seeking an advanced education and a professional career.
Somehow Cassidy knows memories of this summer job will pop up through time as one of her most beloved professions.
When she asks what you would like,
You go for the classic one and select a red candy apple.
She hands it to you with waxed paper wrapped around the stick,
And you offer a generous tip in her paper cup,
Hoping that good fortune finds her wherever she goes in this life.
Beneath a string of colorful silk lanterns in shades of raspberry,
Purple,
Teal,
And gold,
You admire the red luster of the apple,
You see your reflection,
And the shiny candy takes on the magic of a crystal ball.
It reveals good things to come,
And causes you to smile.
Children run down the boardwalk with their arcade winnings and amusement park tickets trailing behind them like paper tails on the ocean breeze.
The children are loved,
Protected,
And free to roam the beach and amusement park with wonder.
Their contagious glee awakens the inner child in everyone on this night.
A benefit of the off season is that dogs are invited to ride the ferris wheel with their humans.
Your furry companion knows what is in store,
And leads you towards a small line that forms behind a silver metal gate.
A little boy stands in front of you and hugs a Yorkie puppy against his chest.
When he looks at you with eyes as wide as saucers,
He proudly introduces you to his puppy,
Loose,
Which he explains means light.
You tell him Loose is the perfect name,
Because dogs shine light into the world no matter how dark it may become.
The young boy nods,
And his posture becomes erect,
As if doing his best to impersonate Superman.
His young eyes pour into yours as he declares,
I know that,
And you know what?
Maybe we just need to remind everybody else.
You smile conspiratorially and nod.
The line moves forward,
And other dogs waiting to ride exchange loving glances with their humans.
One by one,
Groups enter the enclosed gondolas that are a glow like antique Tiffany lamps.
The mosaic of jewel-toned patterns vary on each gondola and become hypnotic when the ferris wheel is in motion.
You hand over a few dollars to the attendant,
And they lead you towards the gondola and open the door.
Your pup jumps in and you follow,
Safely tucked inside the cozy space.
Gradually you ascend,
With your pet seated on the gold-speckled royal blue cushioned bench,
The gondola rocks gently back and forth.
The stars sparkle in the velvety purple-black sky,
And the crescent moon is centered directly above the ferris wheel.
You continue to rise higher,
And feel a rush of joy as the gondola cuts through the thick air.
Away from the warm planks of the boardwalk,
The air feels cooler,
And the breeze is pure delight.
A bonfire glows on the beach,
So far below it flickers like a small candle of hope placed on a canvas of sand,
Defiant against the darkness of night.
As you reach the top,
You feel the cold front moving in.
The still,
Hot,
And humid air is replaced with cool layers that flow over you like waves of relief.
It feels so magical to experience both hot and cool air in different parts of your body.
The ferris wheel pauses,
And you bite into the crunchy candy and juicy red delicious apple to savor the sensations and taste.
While conquering this treat can be challenging for a child's mouth,
It is easier for an adult,
As many things are.
And yet some things have become harder with age,
Like keeping the space for imagination and dreams.
You think of this as the hard candy melts on your tongue and colors its scarlet.
Your heart swells as the ferris wheel accelerates to its maximum speed,
Going round and round and round.
The sensation takes you out of your mind and into your body.
Goosebumps rise on your skin from the rush of being in motion and the cooler temperatures.
You start laughing and only realize this when you hear the melody of your own voice.
Your pup is just as happy and leans their furry body against your arm.
You pat their head and continue to enjoy the magic of the ride.
A popular rock song from decades past plays beneath the whooshing sound of the ferris wheel and the delighted squeals of children how you wish to hang onto this moment,
Even though its brevity makes it all the more special.
You enjoy one more rotation as the ferris wheel winds down its speed.
You look to the south to see the row of Victorian houses where your cottage stands.
The soft pastel hues of the façades are faint in the glow of street lamps and the historic homes appear as tiny as doll houses.
The gondola descends so slowly that you feel like a seagull gliding down from the clouds towards the beach.
The ferris wheel gracefully propels forward and you arrive at the bottom where the journey began.
The attendant greets you and slows the rocking vessel with their hands before opening the door.
Your pup jumps out first.
They are your adventurous leader for this night among many and you follow behind.
You walk to a bench where you sit and finish the last of your candy apple.
You look to the stars and think to yourself,
Of all the made up things in this world,
You are in the center of some of the most pleasing and sublime.
And you pause to take it all in,
Imbued with appreciation,
Your pup gets antsy and with their insistence,
You rise to begin the walk to your cottage.
You descend the boardwalk stairs to the sand and discover the beach has widened as low tide is at its peak.
Your dog leads you towards the bonfire where a dozen or so people gather.
The gold and marmalade flames rise out of a stack of diagonally placed logs and are more than double your height.
The fire is the perfect foil to the cool night air that gives a hint of rain on the way.
You walk close enough to feel the warmth of the flames,
Shadows and amber light dance on the reflective wet sand.
A young woman plays a familiar song on a ukulele and the group sings along.
Some voices are loud and out of key and others are so beautiful they belong in a Broadway production.
But collectively they create an original chorus of joy.
You cannot help but sing along and the group waves for you to join them.
Kids dance around the fire.
Their moves are spontaneous and bold.
Your dog happily lets out a bark.
Ocean waves pound against the shore to add a thunderous bass and persist in hush.
The beauty of this evening is that you are so busy enjoying your human body and the sensuality of the night.
That not once is there a self-conscious thought to hold you back.
You are truly free.
The song ends and the group spontaneously erupts in laughter and applause.
The ukulele player and one of the whirling little girls hold hands and take a bow.
The bonfire is their spotlight.
You thank everyone and wish them a good night.
As you continue your walk towards the pier,
During your stays at the shore cottage,
You begin each morning and end each night with a walk to the farthest point on the pier.
This ritual creates bookends on the best stories and moments of each day.
And if you were to tell a story from today,
The theme would be that there is kindness and beauty everywhere,
Most found in the simplest of exchanges and pleasures that at the core everyone wishes for peace and joy.
And they manage to manifest it at the shore.
Their dog takes on a slower gait,
Their enthusiasm to lead now replaced with a desire to stay close by your side.
A few night fishermen sit on upturned buckets and exchange stories about the sea.
You pick out a word or two,
Soothed more by the raspy sounds of their charismatic banter than the messages contained.
You keep walking until you come to the soul lantern at the end of the pier.
You stand beneath the golden light and look out onto the ocean.
You imagine how brave one must have been to board a vessel and travel the ocean across the world in hopes of discovering a better place to thrive.
A flash of lightning illuminates the deep waters miles out from the pier.
The storm moves just beyond the coastline with no intention of moving inland.
But it creates a majestic show of lights that reflect on the water and highlight the smoky purple underbellies of storm clouds.
The sky directly overhead remains clear,
Brimming with stars in the sliver of a moon.
Your dog yawns and this yawn is as infectious as their glee.
You open your mouth and yawn next,
Taking in a breath of the cool salty air.
Your dog begins to tug at the leash in the direction home.
You walk back towards the beach in a dreamy state,
Lulled into a sweet trance by the sound of the crashing waves.
You head south towards the row of historic houses that overlook the ocean,
Painted in hues of cornflower blue,
Periwinkle,
Buttercream,
Cotton candy pink,
Lavender and mint green.
The Victorian houses remind you of the color palette of ice creams sold by the nearby parlor.
The soft colors and ornate designs of gable roofs and widow walks bring a sense of whimsy.
So much care went into designing the details and crafting beautiful homes,
Because these dwellings were meant to be cherished.
Some of the sprawling homes rise three stories high,
With wide wrap-around porches,
With swinging benches and rocking chairs.
But in the heart of the roll is the most beloved Victorian cottage where you reside.
It is the oldest and coziest of the shore homes,
Spoken of often by those who visit the shore in summer.
The cottage is the most colorful of the homes,
With intricate details around the roof and porch,
Painted in rose,
Lavender,
Teal and aquamarine.
The hand-carved balustrades resemble the crests of waves.
Your cottage is both nautical and whimsical,
Like a colorful gingerbread house brought to life.
You let your pup free to run up the two-toned steps that lead to the porch.
Your furry friend sits at the top of the stairs and patiently waits for you.
You take a mental picture of this moment to file away into the compartments of your mind,
Dedicated to appreciation and peace.
You ascend the steps,
Becoming more and more tired as you go.
Once on the landing,
You turn around to watch lightning strike far out into the ocean.
The distant storm reminds you of the beauty and power of Mother Nature.
Even the storms at sea that never make it to land heighten your gratefulness for the safe haven of the cottage.
You wipe your shoes on a straw welcome mat before entering your cozy home.
You open the century-old pastel-hued door and enter the storybook dwelling.
A crystal blue glass lamp illuminates the main room in a soothing color reminiscent of the Atlantic.
You ascend the white wooden stairs that lead to your bedroom.
The cottage interior is painted and accented with dozens of shades of blues and greens set to match a collection of sea glass in a mason jar and images on the wall that capture the Atlantic Ocean over time.
Your dog follows you to the bedroom and tiredly walks to their plush dog bed beneath a bay window overlooking the sea.
The windows are open and moonlight pours onto your pup as they burrow and settle and then curl up in a ball.
You step into the adjoining bathroom and take a quick shower to rinse away the salt and sand.
Your fresh eucalyptus hangs in a bow around the shower head and fills the air with a calming perfume.
Your skin feels clean as the water cascades down.
Your muscles are relaxed.
You wash yourself with handmade soap from a small gift store in town.
You rinse away the suds and then turn off the water.
You dry yourself off with a freshly laundered towel and bury your face into the soft,
Plush fabric.
You then brush your teeth.
And once you are prepared for bed,
You return to your room.
The cool night air travels through the open windows and brings a gradual shift in temperature in the room.
Pockets of humidity and warmth from the afternoon remain and so you welcome the persistent breeze.
Chiffon curtains dance on the air and billow into the room,
Cast in opal moonlight.
You peel back the covers and climb into the antique ivory,
Wrought iron bed.
You sigh in unison with the soft,
Familiar creaks of the bed.
As you settle beneath cotton sheets and a handmade quilt that has the heaviness of a weighted blanket,
Snug,
Tired and relaxed,
You begin to drift towards sleep.
And as you approach the bridge to your sleeping life,
You are inspired by the kindness,
The beauty and the wonder of the shore.
You are comforted by all the interactions you had with the community.
You look forward to the days to come,
Knowing they bring a lifelong treasure hunt for collecting sparkling moments and memories.
The sound of the ocean waves carries you across the bridge between your waking and sleeping life.
This delicate moment is sacred as you surrender to a night of respite and peace.
Letting go as you fall into a deep sleep,
Finding peace,
Finding bliss,
Finding harmony,
Finding sleep.
It's time to dream away.
Good night.
