Forgive yourself.
You did the best you could.
You tried.
You made mistakes, bad choices, but you’ve learned.
There were moments when you were kind.
Be kind to yourself.

Forgive yourself.
Stop waiting for someone else to make you feel better.
Feel better.
And sit with it when you feel bad, sad, mad.
Your feelings are not the enemy.
Everything is workable.

Forgive yourself.
You have permission.
You are enough, there is enough.
The world is your oyster, the world is your sister.
Love is out there, and in here.

Forgive yourself.
Slow down.
Gentleness is your superpower.
There is strength in your quiet, your stillness.
Rest.

One of my favorite places is the Oregon Coast, and when I’m feeling tired or sad, I imagine our trip this summer, I close my eyes and see myself standing in the sand facing the water, and can hear the whisper of the surf, feel the spray.

*sigh*

One of my favorite albums is “Big Calm” by Morcheeba, and one of my favorite songs is track one, “The Sea.”

“I left my soul there,
Down by the sea”