Tiny speckles of hope

During difficult times it can be hard to stay positive and to keep a clear perspective on what is happening in our lives.  Using creative visualisation is one way that we can help to calm our minds and bodies and encourage the activation of our parasympathetic nervous systems - the bodily system whose job it is to support our immune system and help us relax.

​Keeping in our minds eye a place of beauty, serenity or peace is a useful way to help combat stress. You can visualise a place you know or an imaginary place -  either is just fine. You can use creative writing as a way to help you visualise such a place - as I did in the piece of writing below which is taken from one of my journals.  

​Once you have your place imagine yourself there and try to bring it alive by using your senses to engage with the place as if you were really there. Add sounds,  smells, textures and even taste if you can. Make it as real as possible so your body reacts to what it is 'seeing' in your minds eye. 

A DREAM
​I travelled a long way, into the future perhaps or maybe it was the past? I went upwards through the clouds, whispy and white; translucent, misty, mysterious. Another land came in sight - a beautiful land of shining white shimmering in bright sunlight. 
I saw a field of trees - a small forest, huge fir trees dusted in snow. Each tree was majestic, full of its own beauty and grandeur. They seemed to possess an almost magical quality. I let my arms wrap around one embracing its bark, its roughness. Although it was harsh to the touch it was strangely comforting too - like how I imagined embracing a smile would be. The tree had the glowing presence of a kindly stranger, offering a welcome to me. The scent of pine filled the air. Looking upwards I could see the tree reaching  right up to the Heavens stretching onwards towards eternity.

All the while snow kept falling from the branches - bright, silver showers of miracles dusting me with tiny speckles of hope.