Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium

With a deep, open breath,
snuggle up in your bed,
and untether the thoughts 
looming tight in your head.
LONG PAUSE
Feel the soft sheets 
as they kiss your skin.
You sink into their coolness, 
and pull your blanket up again.
LONG PAUSE
Breathe once more, 
deep, long, and slow,
and as you exhale,
let any last thoughts go.
PAUSE
Now imagine a gondola 
on a small waterway.
It’s Venice, you see,
bright and beautiful at midday.
PAUSE
You cast a quick smile
to the gondolier in the back,
wearing the traditional shirt
of white and black.
PAUSE
The gondolier tips his hat
as you continue to cruise.
You marvel at the narrow waterways
you are passing through.
PAUSE
There are houses and businesses
right up to the water’s edge,
all lovely, bright colors–
their beauty’s unmatched.
PAUSE
And the gondola lets you off
at St. Mark’s Square
where a flurry of pigeons
take to the air.
PAUSE
The sun’s warmth 
holds your face in its hands,
as you stand before a palace
ornate and grand. 
PAUSE
And you marvel at the artistry,
intricate designs and lattice,
that adorn the outside 
of this magnificent palace. 
PAUSE
You’re amazed by the wonders 
the palace holds within.
There’s art and a gold ceiling
that makes your head spin.
PAUSE
The art and history
take your breath away.
You wonder what it would have been like
to live back in the day.
PAUSE
And as you leave the palace
and return to the square,
you find a bench to rest
and take in the sights while you’re there.
PAUSE
A little girl with gelato
comes and offers it to you.
You say, “Grazie,” which is “thanks”
as she spills some on her shoe.
PAUSE
She doesn’t seem to mind,
as she dances in the sun.
The gelato may be melting
but you both are having fun.
PAUSE
And her laugh is contagious,
as you giggle at her dance.
You feel the magic of Venice
coming over you at last.
PAUSE
The little girl runs off 
and grabs the hand of her mother.
She smiles and waves at you,
then dances off with her brother.
PAUSE
They pass the bell tower,
standing proud and tall,
before disappearing 
behind a wall.
PAUSE
And you notice that the sun 
is starting to droop.
Night is falling soon,
so it’s time to regroup.
PAUSE
So, you find another gondola
and comfortably settle in,
as it heads toward your home,
you reminisce where you’ve been.
PAUSE
Then, you pause one more minute
to take in all of Venice.
You hear opera floating in the air
and a magic voice wraps you in it.
PAUSE
And the opera fades to quiet,
and the laughter drops off, too.
It’s you and gondolier
paddling through and through.
PAUSE 
And as you paddle toward the stars
You’re grateful you had the chance
to see Venice at its best,
It’s your Italian romance.
PAUSE
And the gondola dissolves,
as the night runs deep,
and you find yourself in bed again,
at peace, and ready for sleep.


Namaste, Beautiful



 ???
Check out all the deals from our incredible sponsors here! --> https://womensmeditationnetwork.com/sponsors

???
Check out all of our other podcasts at https://womensmeditationnetwork.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices