Hummingbird Bungalow

Welcome to the garden of the hummingbird bungalow. It might not look like much. In fact, some might even say it was more of a yard than a garden, but at the end of a long summer day, it has a unique beauty just catching sight of it through the fence seems like an invitation to relax, to stop. And as the saying goes, smell the roses. Before we explore the garden I always like to do a little wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise, is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get comfortable in your bed. Now, just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four holding it for four and then breathing out for six. So, are you ready? Let's begin in for four, two, three, four hold it for four, two, three, four. Now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six in for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great, now returning the breath to normal. Near the garden gate grows a patch of wild flowers. Somebody scattered a handful of seeds from the forest and these blooms crept up in the peaceful earth of the backyard. Only a few months ago tiny green shoots sprung from the dark soil. Now, the seeds have stretched, spreading roots and leaves and you see that these wildflowers are poppies. Their stems are thin and delicate. Sprouting feathery leaves. The poppy holds orange at the base of its round flower as a full cup of Tangerine wine as petals unfurl, the poppy lightens to yellow like pages from an old book, golden filaments flutter and whisper within the blooms, strands of the red from a lush tapestry. These blooms are so simple and vivid, you could have made them with just your hands, dipping your fingers into slippery paint and tracing the flowers onto a canvas of sky. For all these nectars, this garden is loved by the hummingbirds of the neighborhood. There's one fluttering about now and his feathers are so colorful. You could imagine that the bird is made from tiny rubies and emeralds. The sun shines on every tiny feather. Notice how his wings wave shimmering in the air around him. He does seem to hum doesn't he? This hummingbird glides to his own tune swirling from trees to vines and back again. Bright as a scarf, he loops and loops all around the garden as though the bird embroiders the air with silk. He knows where all the...