This is the first song I am introducing in my Garden of Creation.

The song was inspired by The Comfort Book by Matt Haig who is one of my all-time favourite authors. Critics said, "This book feels like a giant hug" and I couldn't agree more.

I hope this song feels this way, too. I wrote it in February of 2022 and it's about being kind to yourself.

Yet how many times are we not being kind to ourselves and beat ourselves up instead? Is it because of the way we have been treated in our childhood? Or because of what we've been taught?

There have been many situations when I was judged for how I felt when all I needed was consolation and a hug, and all I needed to hear was "Don't worry, it's okay“.

Yet how many times have we been told to be tough and to not be sissies when it's perfectly okay to acknowledge our imperfections - or rather what is being perceived as imperfect? Society suggests that we always have to be happy and smile all the time. That we always have to be strong. That we always have to be there for other people – even at the expense of our own well-being. And yet, sometimes we feel bad - simply because we are human beings. And it's okay to cry, to complain, or to be angry sometimes - it can be quite cathartic. And it's okay to set boundaries if we need them.

But why do we judge ourselves and other people instead of trying to understand how they might feel or what makes them act a certain way? What happened to our empathy? When will we see that everyone's perfect and beautiful when they love what they're doing?

When will we learn that mistakes are a part of life? That it's not only okay to make them but that we need them in order to grow? By reflecting upon what went wrong and do better next time – without judging ourselves but simply by acknowledging we made a mistake and learning from it?

To be honest, I wonder why a song like that needs to be written when all of these things should go without saying.

I am sure you could add many more verses that reflect your own story. But please remember that it's okay how you feel in each given moment, that there's a reason for why you feel that way, and that you're okay the way you are.

Oh, and one last thing! Please feel free to replace the pronoun with the one that suits you. It's okay.

Big hug!