Little Bear was getting ready for bed. But tonight, his mind was buzzing like a busy bee! He wiggled his toes and frowned. "I can't sleep!" he told Mama Bear. "Too many thoughts are bouncing around!"
Mama Bear smiled. "Let's try a sleepy meditation, Little Bear. It's like giving your mind a warm hug." She helped Little Bear lie down and close his eyes. "Now, let's pretend you have a beautiful, sparkly bubble floating above your head."
"A bubble?" Little Bear giggled, but he closed his eyes tight. "Yes," said Mama Bear. "With every breath in, imagine the bubble growing bigger and brighter. And with every breath out, imagine any wobbly, buzzy thoughts floating *into* the bubble."
Little Bear took a deep breath in… and imagined his bubble growing! He thought about playing with his friends, and *poof*, that thought floated into the bubble. He thought about wanting another honey pot, and *poof*, that thought joined the others. Each breath sent a little worry or excitement into the sparkly bubble.
"Good," whispered Mama Bear. "Now, imagine the bubble gently floating away… carrying all those thoughts with it. Far, far away, where they can't bother you tonight."
Little Bear breathed out slowly. He imagined his bubble drifting over the trees, over the mountains, and finally disappearing into the starry sky. He felt his shoulders relax. He wasn't trying to *stop* his thoughts, just letting them float by.
Mama Bear continued, "Now, listen to your breath. In… and out… like the gentle waves of the ocean. In… and out… nice and slow."
Little Bear listened. In… and out… He noticed how the air felt cool going in and warm going out. He felt cozy and safe in his bed. The buzzing in his mind started to quiet down.
"You are safe, Little Bear. You are loved. And you are ready for sweet dreams," Mama Bear whispered. Little Bear took one last deep breath, his bubble now completely gone. He felt peaceful and calm.
Soon, Little Bear’s eyes fluttered closed, and he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of sparkly bubbles and gentle ocean waves. He knew that anytime his mind felt busy, he could always find his calm breath and let his worries float away.