I never promised a Rose garden

Imagine, for a moment, if you will, that you are leisurely walking through a beautiful, landscaped garden.
The garden has lush, manicured lawns and beautiful, fragrant, exotic plants are in abundance.
The afternoon sun is shining and there is a cool, delicate breeze, and the temperature is just as you would like it.
There is absolutely no pollen in this garden, as the air here is pure and fresh and intoxicating.
And as you marvel at the vivid colours all around you, you hear the relaxing sounds of birds singing, in the trees and overhead.
And as you are walking and considering this beauty and tranquillity you take deep breaths, and each time you breathe out you relax, deeper and deeper.
With each step you take in this beautiful garden you find yourself more and more relaxed.
And as you stroll around the garden, barefooted, feeling the soft grass under your feet you wander towards some beautiful flowers.
And as you approach these flowers their scent grows more fragrant than anything you have ever experienced.
And their rich colours are brighter than you ever seen.
Take a deep breath again, and inhale the soft warm and perfumed air.
And as you breathe out you will relax deeper and deeper. More and more relaxed.
And now, as you continue meandering through the beautiful, fragrant garden you come upon a pretty winding pathway which is lined with lemon trees.
And following the tree lined path makes you relax even more. Listening to the birdsong and enjoying the peace and tranquillity.
And as you wander along, relaxing deeper and deeper with every step, you soon reach a beautiful, empty beach with golden sand stretching as far as you can see in both directions.
And as you stroll across the soft sand, feeling your bare feet sinking in its cloying warmth, you gaze out into the distance.
And you see the vastness of the sea.
And you notice how the waves roll towards the beach.
Rolling in endlessly, one after another...
And you hear the sound of the waves building up...
And then petering out as they near the beach...
And you feel a growing sense of peace and calm...
As the warm sea breeze lightly brushes your skin...
And as your feet sink into the warm sand with every step you take, so you are relaxing deeper and deeper with every step...
And you soon reach the wet sand near where the sea begins...
And you notice how much louder the sea is up close as wave after wave rolls towards you...
And your feet now sink down deeper than before.
Into the wet sand…
And when you reach the sea you venture forward allowing your toes to gently test the water...
And it is slightly cold at first...
But soon warms as you take a few more steps into the water...
And as you allow the waves to roll over your feet and ankles...
And then retreat again... You breathe in the fresh salty sea air...
And relax deeper and deeper...
And after a while you stroll back up the beach...
You find a most inviting deck chair which is there, especially for you.
And there is a sunshade and a table...
And your favourite refreshing drink is upon the table...
And as you adjust the sunshade so that it’s just right for you.
You lie back in the chair with your drink...
And as you take a deep breath once more... You relax deeper and deeper still as you breathe out...
And as you gaze out at the calm blue sea you see the waves lapping lazily on the beach...
And hear the sound of the seagulls up above...
You notice a fishing boat in the distance , with its colourful sail...
Gently bobbing up and down...
The afternoon sun is shining brightly...
The sky is clear cobalt blue... Not a cloud. Not even a wisp....
And you are feeling more and more relaxed...
As you doze in your deckchair, with not a care in the world, at this moment in time...
And you take a deep breath once again. And as you breathe out you relax deeper and deeper.