a relaxing journey to get you through the day

hear my voice. i will guide you on a journey; trust in me...

close your eyes and take a deep breath... and another... and another. feel your body begin to relax; feel your shoulders grow lighter as you breathe and let all your worries flow out of your self with every breath you exhale.

you are comfortable in your space; you feel loved, you feel safe and you feel warm. i am proud of you.

imagine you are climbing a tree. a beautiful big maple tree; you always wanted to climb it right to the top but were scared. you are no longer scared; you feel safe and you feel skilled and you feel strong.

you are now at the top of the tree sitting in a big branch you look around you and realise how at home you feel; how at peace you feel. you are free. at this moment you have no worries; there are no responsibilities. there is only this moment and in this moment there are only you and this tree.

you look at the leaves on the tree. really study them, they are beautiful, veined with many colours. choose one. you feel a special connection to this leaf; it makes you feel joyful and at peace. it is your leaf.

you are growing small. smaller and smaller and smaller. you are not concerned, you know this is okay; this is natural.

you are so small you weigh absolutely nothing. you look at your leaf with new eyes. it is  beautiful. it is detailed and vibrant and you know more than ever that this leaf is your own. you go towards the leaf and climb on to it; settle down and make yourself comfortable.

you know what is about to happen and, as the leaf separates from the branch, you feel nothing but blessed.

lighter than a feather, you float softly, softly on the air. your leaf is protecting you and you lie back on it and think only of the feeling you have, floating peacefully along. free. you hold on to this feeling of lightness and think deeply on your blessings and how amazing it is that there is a leaf like this in the world.

you realise you may be the only person who has had this thought today; you smile because now you know a secret.

and, as you feel the leaf come gently to earth you do not feel sad; though you know your journey is over. you have learned of beauty and of peace and freedom; you have embraced true calm.

as you open your eyes and adjust to the bright world where your full sized self is, stretch and remember that your secret can be carried with you all day. you know of peace and freedom, love and calm; you have been on a journey.