Bedtime with Captain EJ.
Today we will be up on the Honey Bee Hilltop where we can look out over all there is to see.
The littlest ladybug flutters by as if he wants to show us something.
All you have to do is close your eyes,
Get cozy,
And listen to the sound of my voice.
Captain EJ will lead the way.
EJ,
Let's begin.
You are here,
Up on the top of this peaceful,
Quiet hill.
The sun is shining down on you,
Warming you from the inside out.
Look your head all the way to one side of the hill until you can feel a little stretch.
All you can see is gently swaying grass for as far as you can see.
Look your head all the way to the other side of the hill,
Where there is more of an endless field of soft grass,
Until you can feel a little stretch on that side too.
Bring your gaze back to a comfortable center and take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose.
Feel the coolness of the air coming in through your nose and sweeping out every last thought from your mind.
Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and enjoy perfect relaxation.
Let yourself be heavy here and sink into the stillness of this moment.
You are so still that any little fluttering movement gets your attention.
When you look down from the shining sun,
You see that a bright red ladybug has landed on your perfectly still nose.
When you blink,
Your eyelashes scare the ladybug down to your hand.
It lands and stays there as you pick up your hand to get a closer look.
The black spots lift as he spreads his tissue paper wings out for a little shake,
Then closes them back into his rounded back.
The friendly ladybug crawls along your hand and its teeny tiny feet tickle as he does.
Did you know that you are currently experiencing one of nature's highest honors in the form of good luck?
You look all around you once again to see exactly what you are experiencing at this moment.
Despite all your movement,
Your little ladybug friend stays with you,
Clinging to your hand like the surest of companions.
This little red insect is a long-standing symbol of good luck,
And when a ladybug decides to land on you,
It lets you know that good things are on their way.
Take another slow,
Deep breath in through your nose.
Feel your chest and your spirits lift with the goodness that is yet to come.
Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth.
Then watch as the little ladybug crawls up your arm to your shoulder,
Where it sits pleasantly watching the peaceful hillside with you in the sunshine.
You wonder to yourself,
What would it be like to live life as a good luck charm?
But luckily,
You do not have to wonder much at this possibility,
Because you already are.
Though you are not always aware of the effect you have on others,
Your friendly smile might have already been the one to lift someone's spirits and remind them of the inextinguishable goodness that exists in the world.
Just like how this ladybug somewhat randomly landed on you,
Here on the top of this hill,
You could have already been involved in an intricate web of causes and effects that resulted in someone receiving the best good luck of their lives,
And you don't even know it.
Much like how this ladybug doesn't at all know that centuries of farmers took their very presence on their crops as a sign of a fruitful harvest,
Ladybugs are voracious munchers and eat teeny tiny microscopic pests that farmers cannot hardly see,
No less chew away.
Instead,
The lucky farmer who got to welcome a flurry of ladybugs in their crops felt as though they had been handed a bounty.
With this good luck charm on your shoulder,
Take another slow,
Deep breath in through your nose,
And make a wish that you hold silently in your heart.
Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth,
And send that wish out with your breath.
Suddenly,
The ladybug lifts his wings and flutters away into the blue sky as if he is following your wish that now floats in the air.
Wherever you land for however long,
After you leave this peaceful hilltop,
Be aware of the luck you could bring just by your presence alone.
You could quietly lend your ear to someone who needs to be heard.
You could compliment someone in a way that helps them stand just a little bit taller.
You could carry yourself in such a way that shows others how to embrace exactly who you are because you are the most perfect you that you can be at this moment,
And this one,
Constantly learning,
Growing,
And connecting more deeply with the world around you.
Take another slow,
Deep breath in through your nose.
Feel the possibility swell in your heart as your chest rounds out,
Full of fresh air.
Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth,
And send all the love you have to give out into the world.
What you give back will be more than you have ever imagined.
Suddenly,
You look down to see not one,
But three ladybugs gathered on your shoulders.
What you give will always find its way back to you,
Just when you need it.
All you have to do is remember to give,
To push the good luck forward,
And that will ensure there's enough for everyone.
Although we all occupy our own bodies,
Our own space,
Our own lives,
We are deeply interconnected,
Even when you don't realize it.
For this reason,
You are never,
Ever alone.
You look down to each shoulder and see that the ladybugs are settled in for an afternoon snooze,
Which you are happy to host.
These ladybug friends are three teeny reminders of how even the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference.
All that you do has an effect on your environment,
And this delicate ecosystem knows when you need it to hug you in close.
If you look with careful eyes,
You will always find that you have just what you need,
And maybe even a little bit of good luck on your shoulder.
That concludes our story.
I can't wait to see you again.
Captain EJ,
Over and out.
