Hollywood: A Magical Sleep Story

Fall into a deep sleep as you relax with this story and meditation that will transport you to the golden landscape of Hollywood.

On a perfect day,

You are the star of a film production that recreates memories you hold dear as you revisit feelings of love and nostalgia making a movie about the story of your life.

Afterwards you may unwind in your luxurious trailer and dream away in the town built for dreaming.

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

I am Michelle and you may think of my voice as that of your dear friend.

Here to help you remember who you are like any dear friend should.

I will reconnect you with your imagination and the power to choose thoughts that feel good and elevate your mood.

You may not be able to control everything you would like,

But before bedtime you may control your experience and your thoughts.

You are a creative being with the ability to self soothe and switch off the noise and problems of your waking life.

And this will help you drift through the illuminated passage of peace between consciousness and your sleeping life.

So get cozy and cuddle up and know that you are safe.

You are not alone and I am here for you.

Tuck yourself in and feel the tingling sensation that travels across your body like a gentle current and reminds you that you are alive and in the moment.

Take a deep breath and then sigh it all out.

Let it all go.

And inhale again,

Imagining that you are taking in the sweet redolence of honeysuckle that grows around the driveway of your Beverly Hills estate.

You exhale as you visualize your feet stepping upon the brick circular driveway that cuts through a perfectly manicured green lawn like a red river.

The morning dew is fresh and the verdant lawn made greener by the sprinklers that swirl with a delicate spray of water.

The sun shines upon the spray and creates a veil of rainbow prisms that catch your attention for a moment.

You can tell this is the start of a magical day.

You look to the hedges,

Shaped into designs of your favorite animals.

They line the front of the mansion that you call home.

The mansion is of an era and design that most appeals to your tastes and preferences.

It has big windows and multiple floors and you look to it with a sense of gratitude.

Knowing that happiness comes from deep within,

But it is your power to manifest and to dream that allowed you to create such a beautiful,

Opulent home.

The heels of your shoes continue to click upon the driveway as you approach your convertible car with the top already down.

The car is customized completely to your preferences.

You grasp the silver handle and open the door and sit upon the buttery soft upholstery of the car,

Running your hand along it and feeling the warmth of the sun.

You gently close the door and put the key in the ignition to hear the sound of the engine humming.

You put the car in gear and begin your commute to the studio.

Your filming of your life story will commence.

It is thrilling to know that your life is being honored on celluloid as you are given a rare chance to reflect on the life-altering and loving moments in your life.

This connection to your own story and your own authenticity makes you feel alive right now.

You pull out of the driveway and onto a quiet street that is lined by palm trees,

Which grow tall and are like outstretched hands reaching for the blazing morning sun.

The light is thick and the radio station is tuned to your favorite channel,

Playing songs that keep you content and at peace.

You feel the breeze on your face as you drive with the top down as rays of sunlight fall upon your skin.

You are adorned in sunglasses that make you feel like a star and catch yourself in the rear view mirror,

Noting how healthy and vibrant and rested you appear.

You take a leisurely drive as traffic is uncharacteristically sparse as you come into Hollywood and the bustle of energy on Santa Monica Boulevard,

Passing shops and restaurants.

You look north to the hills,

Seeing the iconic letters of the Hollywood sign as you get on the 101 freeway,

Taking in the splendor of the clear morning and blanket of California sunshine that makes the pavement of the freeway appear like a wide silvery gray stream that cuts through the hills.

You come into the valley feeling the descension and elevation before taking an exit.

You can see the tall white gates of the studio,

Pristine against the landscape,

Feeling excited to arrive at the place where the story of your life is about to be retold.

Entering the security gate,

You are instantly recognized as the guard welcomes you with a friendly smile and kind eyes.

As the gate opens,

You drive into the lot with a sense of pride and purpose.

You have made a dream come true,

And you relish in the feeling of fullness and joy as you pull your convertible into a parking spot with your name boldly etched on a sign behind it.

As you pull in,

A young production assistant,

Or PA,

Donned in a headset is awaiting you with a clipboard in hand.

She opens the door to your car and helps you out,

Explaining she's ready to take you to the hair and makeup trailer to get ready.

You take in a deep breath,

Looking to the hills that cut against the cornflower blue sky as the sun blazes overhead.

And the dry air conjures smells of the desert and earth,

A reminder that amid all the man-made splendor of the studio,

Nature still permeates it.

You are walked through the replication of a quaint town center that has been the set in hundreds of movies and television shows.

There is a gazebo in the village square,

Surrounded by a main street and tiny shops and a church.

It feels real and yet imagined all at once.

The paint too perfect and everything too clean to actually feel lived in.

As you walk through this set,

You think of the decades of creative voices and talent that gathered here to retell their own human stories,

Elevating the spirits of others in a medium that created a common bond among viewers.

Even at the dawning of a new day,

You can feel the presence of this energy and productions that came before you,

Perhaps even your favorite movies.

The hope and optimism that comes from one's dream becoming a reality is felt everywhere.

Now it is your time.

You are led to a series of long white trailers and guided up the silver steps of a trailer labeled hair and makeup.

You follow the production assistant through the entry where a makeup artist and hair stylist greet you.

They are exactly the people you hope to meet on this adventure.

Quirky and warm and chatty,

Their conversation with one another has a certain pattern and melody that allows you to forget all your cares and concerns as you sit in the makeup chair and they get to work.

You are but a canvas to them as they use their artistry as music plays in the background.

You close your eyes at the makeup artist's request and relax in the chair,

Removing your sunglasses as a cape is put around you.

Your thoughts are silenced as an ebbian mist is spritzed upon your clean face and then moisturizer is rubbed on your skin,

Making you feel refreshed and clean.

Simultaneously the stylist is combing through your hair and you feel the pointed edge of the comb run across your scalp as it finds your natural part.

This causes a tingle down your spine and energy across your scalp.

The aroma of a botanical hair product fills the trailer as your hair is styled and your scalp gets a massage.

You softly sigh as you luxuriate in the special attention.

The makeup artist finishes with powders and whatever suits you to look your best.

All the while you sink into the chair and feel your heart rate slow.

It feels wonderful to be so still.

They both finish as the hairstylist gently pats you on the shoulder,

Removing the cape before swinging the chair so you may see yourself in the mirror.

You look healthy and feel absolutely the best you have felt in a long time.

Within seconds,

As if telepathic,

The PA is knocking on the door,

Ready to usher you to the wardrobe trailer.

You thank the team for making you look your best as you step down the rickety stairs that make a clunk as you come upon the blacktop.

The sun is now blindingly bright and you put on your sunglasses as you are led to a long silver truck parked further down the lot.

A woman with cat-eye glasses and a vibrant wardrobe rife with leopard prints and shades of red meets you,

Extending her perfectly manicured hand to shake yours.

She has a hint of old Hollywood eccentricity and a clear love of her fashion statement.

When you appreciate being in a place where being different is celebrated,

It allows you to feel so comfortable to show your own quirks.

She invites you into her trailer,

Which is like walking through a posh thrift store,

Abundant with dresses in all colors,

From fancy gold lame to floral silks,

And men's suits and tuxedos and casual wear.

Shoes are stacked in bins,

In order by size.

The stylist pulls from a rack of hanging garment bags.

And on a garment bag you see a tag that bears her name in delicate cursive.

As she unzips the bag,

The slow reveal brings tears to your eyes because enclosed is a replication of a garment from long ago.

It is something that you once wore often and cannot believe you ever forgot it because it fit so well and made you feel good every time you wore it.

Your most beloved memories are conjured by the sight of this garment and she hands it off and points to a makeshift dressing room,

Pulling the curtain closed as you enter.

You remove your everyday wear and change into the wardrobe,

Noting how perfectly it fits every curve and contour of your body.

Even if your body has changed over time,

Are you wore this in a different stage of life?

You pull back the curtain and the wardrobe stylist claps,

Clutching her hands to her heart before making a few adjustments.

She takes out her digital camera to snap a photo of your look for continuity in shooting.

You smile,

Feeling the same sense of pride you did when you were celebrated as a young child in a photo opportunity.

She guides you out of the trailer,

Where the PA meets you again and talks through a walkie while leading you to a tall white windowless building that gleams in the brilliant sun and has a number painted upon it.

This number has significance to you as it's a number that has come up often in your life.

You trail behind her,

Taking in the warmth of the sun one last time.

She hands you a miniature printout of the scenes from the screenplay shooting today,

Known as sides,

And you read over the dialogue.

It is familiar as it has already been spoken at some time and includes characters you know and love.

As you are ushered into the soundstage,

The sunlight streams through the entryway as dust dances like speckles of glitter.

The heavy door closes quietly behind you as you stand and take in the darkness of the studio.

You stand behind the walls of the set,

Smelling fresh sawdust from the arts department and feeling a cool draft from the air conditioned lofty space.

The ceilings are rigged with lights and industrial metal beams used to hang gear and necessary fixtures.

The studio is silent,

But for the murmuring of a few voices of the crew,

Standing on the other side of an illuminated set.

Like headlights cutting through a foggy night,

The satellites pour around the moveable wall that blocks the set from your view.

You follow the PA towards the set as your eyes are hit by the stage lights.

It feels like the dawning of a new day when light pours into your bedroom window.

Your eyes are bleary at first until you adjust and step onto the set.

And suddenly you are in the middle of a scene from your past.

The set dressings are immaculate reproductions from a place and time that you hold very dear.

The furniture and lamps take you back as you notice every detail,

Taking them all in.

Feeling like you have been transported back in time.

In a state of awe,

You look to see the rest of the cast.

You are reunited with friends or family or both,

Or whoever it is that is meant to be present for this reenactment.

You feel their love beaming down upon you with as much warmth as the key lights that brilliantly illuminate the set.

The director approaches you,

Smiling with encouragement and with a script in hand,

Saying that all you need to do is be you.

You are enough.

You are exactly what this story needs.

And you can do whatever feels right when the cameras roll.

The rest of the crew waits patiently in the background,

Behind cameras and monitors.

As you feel at ease,

You know how to be you.

You have done it your entire life.

You walk to a colored piece of tape on the floor that is your mark on the set and where you begin.

A boom mic that resembles a stormy,

Puffy cloud is extended over your head from a pole.

You are joined by the cast of loved ones who take their marks as well and make this scene worth every moment of its revival for the cameras.

You hear the crew members call out from the shadows.

Picture is up.

Roll sound.

Sound is speeding.

Full cameras.

Cameras speeding.

The slate is held close to your face.

Scene 1,

Take 1.

And the clap sounds from the black clapperboard.

And the director calls action.

And it is your moment to shine.

You go deep into the heart of this memory.

You are there again.

Deep within the emotions and smells and connections to those around you.

It is as if nothing else is going on.

Make a dream connecting with your subconscious longings and the nostalgia for this moment of reconnection.

Notice how you feel.

How the energy of love and gratitude pour from you.

How you speak clearly without hesitation because your voice matters.

Your words deserve to be heard.

You matter.

So take this time to really feel all that comes along with this reenactment.

The director is moved by your performance and quietly lets you linger in this moment before softly calling cut.

Check the gate.

It was a perfect first take.

You go to the row of directors chairs behind the monitors and cameras to see your name in bold white letters on one of them.

It feels surreal and yet familiar.

Like deja vu.

And you watch as the cameras and crew move around the set with a sharp focus before taking a seat.

The rest of the cast sits around you and you smile feeling proud for making it this far.

The cameras and lights move around to capture new angles and you are called back to your mark and you do the scene again.

Feeling the energy flow through you as you get into a rhythm.

It feels meditative to do the same actions and to recreate the same moment again and again and again.

And when you feel like you could go on forever,

You hear the assistant director call lunch.

You congratulate the cast of loved ones before they are taken away to their respective trailers.

The director approaches you and takes your hands,

Looking deeply into your eyes with pride and commends you on your realness and authenticity.

Under your ability to shine,

Letting your light come through in the deepest parts of your soul,

You feel seen and you feel heard and valued.

And in a daze,

So high on this experience,

You feel as if you are floating through the sound stage.

The PA finds you and guides you to your trailer on the lot,

Drifting through the narrow passageway towards the exit.

You step out into the late day sun,

Once again noticing the contrast from a cold,

Dark sound stage to the fragrant air of the valley.

Someone from the craft service department brings you a smoothie made of your favorite ingredients,

And you begin to sip it as you are led to your trailer.

You feel the cool beverage travel down your throat,

Feeling a fullness from its thick consistency.

The sensation of cooling contrasts the intense heat of the sun.

You come upon a gleaming trailer,

And the PA says you have a two hour break before you will be needed again.

You find yourself feeling quite tired.

And the way one feels after a big celebration or a hike through the Hollywood Hills,

And very much longs for a siesta.

Feeling so tired,

You climb up the metal stairs,

Feeling as they rock and make a familiar clunking sound with each step.

You open the door and come into a living room,

Adorned in your favorite color palette and pieces of art.

You see photos of loved ones,

And perhaps even pets,

As you close the door behind you.

You set your finished cup on an end table and run your hand along the soft velvet fabric of the sofa before sitting down.

A silk robe hangs on a silk padded hanger that dangles atop a hook on the outside of a small closet.

You remove your shoes and stretch your toes before placing them on the plush cream carpet and feeling your feet sink with each step.

You remove your wardrobe and put on the delicate robe,

Feeling as it glides onto your body and you tie the belt.

It hugs you and you hang your wardrobe,

Feeling more and more tired with each motion.

You walk towards the bedroom in the back of the trailer,

Passing by a small kitchenette,

Completely stocked with your favorite snacks and beverages.

It feels so nice to be catered to,

And each step brings you closer to the rest you have earned and desire.

You enter the windowless bedroom,

And a queen sized bed is in the center of the room.

It is elevated and high,

With a plush mattress and oversized pillows and a down comforter.

You close the door behind you,

Making your way through the dark comforts of the room.

The air conditioning keeps it quite cool,

Like a perfect sleeping den.

And you walk over to the bed,

Peeling back the blankets and climbing upon it.

You tuck yourself in,

Feeling snug beneath the heavy weight of the comforter.

Your head falls upon the plush pillows,

And you feel as if you are in a secluded pod,

Cut off from the energy of the outside world.

A decorative wall fountain flows,

Creating a soothing white noise that relaxes you further.

And you close your eyes,

And you sink deeper and deeper down,

Letting yourself get heavier and heavier with each moment.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment as you sigh and sink down.

Letting go,

Ready for the continuation of beautiful dreams that come to life as you cross the bridge towards the world of healing and restorative sleep.

Ten,

Nine,

Eight,

Seven,

Six,

Five,

Four,

Three,

Two,

One.

Finding sleep,

It's time to dream away.

Good night.