In this episode of Mello, we explore a question from Zelda: "How does a canyon even get made?" Through a calming guided meditation, we journey through time, witnessing the slow but powerful forces of nature—wind, rain, and rivers—shaping the earth over millions of years. Along the way, we discover how small changes, given time, can create something breathtaking, just like the changes in our own lives.

How is a Canyon Made

Changes

Well hello there, welcome to mello, we love exploring the darling (albeit weird at times) questions kids often ask us, taking them on little adventures, while learning how to meditate.

Meditation is like curling up in a comfy nook inside your mind, a place to pause and notice how the world is always changing. Like a flowing river, each moment drifts into the next—the water at our feet never the same from one instant to the next.

This episode, our question comes from Zelda:

Zelda:  “How does a canyon even get made?”

Thank you, Zelda. That’s a deep question! (“question” echoes like it would inside a canyon’) Woah! That really is deep. Let’s use our imagination to answer it, and understand how small changes can make a big difference in our lives. 

Let’s start by getting our wiggles out. Go ahead and wiggle. 

That’s right–your toes and arms, your fingers and legs. Wiggle them up and down and all around. Now settle those wiggles into a snuggle. 

As you tuck into your cozy blanket, take a deep breath in, feeling your body fill with calm. As you exhale, whisper to yourself, “I am safe”. With your next inhale, feel your body fill with love. You exhale and whisper to yourself,  “I am loved.”

With your last deep breath, your imagination is now ready for our nighttime adventure. So sit back, relax…and mello. 

Imagine standing in a deep canyon. All around you, giant cliffs extend toward an endless sky. The rocks bathe in golden sunshine from the setting sun, making shades of tan and pink.  A small river glides past, winking at you with shimmering light. 

You run your hand over the cool, smooth cliffside, wondering what could have made such a large, beautiful valley. Was it a meteor? An explosion? A giant bunny hop? Okay, it probably wasn’t a giant bunny hop. But still, you’re curious. 

Feel the earth beneath you, your toes wiggle in the fine sand. Let it ground you, appreciating all the textures you feel. 

Take a deep breath in…and out. Let go of all the tension or worries in your body. Imagine the breeze lifting those worries carrying them away through the canyon. 

You’re now standing above the canyon…but 10 million years ago. Which means there are no cliffs, or smooth rocks, or deep valleys…but instead, a flat body of water. 

(Sound of earth moving) 

Suddenly, the ground in front of you shifts. The Earth’s tectonic plates, like giant puzzle pieces of land, push together, making the land rise, while the water begins to rush down the slope. And just like that, a river is born. 

(Gentle stream)

As you dip your head over the side, you notice little rocks, called sediment, floating by. Some sediment falls from the side of the river into the water, where it scrapes up against the bottom, making the river a TINY bit deeper every time. 

This is how a canyon starts. Nothing more than a gentle stream. But with time, this gentle stream will make something magical. 

(Music shifts)

Let’s press the fast-forward button :). Watch as the river slowly carves deeper into the land. The ground is sinking. Witness the power of time propelling you forward. No one else has ever seen the effects of erosion happen at this pace. Notice the wind picking up sand and loose dirt, throwing it across the valley, and smoothing out the rocks. Slowly but surely, the canyon grows. 

(Wind sounds, dust)

A million years go by…the valley deepens even more….

TWO million years…it’s getting harder to see the bottom…

Now listen to the rain…lots of it. 

(Rain sounds)

The rain fills the river below, tumbling even more dirt from the river banks into its murky depths, carrying it for miles down the stream. 

(Some sound that signifies the passage of time. Some kind of loop)

In the cold months, watch the water that has seeped into the cracks of the rocks freeze and expand. As Spring comes, the water melts leaving behind wider gaps and fissures. 

This happens again and again, season after season. All around you, giant rocks crack into smaller pieces. They tumble into the river, scraping against the bottom. It’s getting deeper AND wider…

Wind, rain, and the river work together to expand the canyon, grabbing more dirt, and eroding into the earth. 

Time is REALLY moving fast now, so let’s have fun with our imagination. We’re going to take five breaths—each breath is a million years. As we count, watch the valley below continue to change. 

One…

Two…

Three…

Four…

Five.

(Music relaxes/softens. Birds chirp–we’re back in “reality”)

You’re at the bottom of the canyon. The setting sun makes you feel safe, like a hug from someone you love. It’s so peaceful. You run your hand along the edge of the cool cliffside. It’s so smooth…and now you know why 🙂

You watch the river. It’s calm, gently carrying little specks of dirt. And in the distance, you even spot a rain cloud getting closer, promising to replenish the river. It looks like nothing is happening…but it is. You can’t believe that this river, this breeze, this rain, can make a whole canyon…but it did. 

You sense something powerful at work. Something about time, and change. Maybe something too big and beautiful to put into words. 

Maybe we learned that with time, small, everyday events can shape even the strongest mountains. What does that say about our lives? How does time change us? 

Take a deep breath as you gaze at the canyon one last time. The light reveals its layers, a record of time etched in stone.

Your life will have layers too—each moment, each choice, will leave its quiet mark. Not all changes are dramatic, and not all growth is easy to see, but every kindness, every challenge, every goofy smile that makes everyone else smile too, adds depth to who you are becoming.

Just like the canyon, shaped by water and wind, you are shaped by time and experience. The beauty is not in rushing the process but in letting it unfold. Trust that even the smallest moments carry meaning, shaping a story that only you can tell.

As you return to the present, remember to pay attention to the small changes–because your life is sure to be as breathtaking as this majestic canyon. You won’t want to miss a moment. 

Sit with this idea as your mind gently falls to sleep.