Chapter 3 — The Softening

[spoken-word half spok half sing feel really slowly talk , first-person] I don't have to be hard to be strong I can be gentle and still stand tall I speak to myself the way I'd speak to someone I love With patience... with kindness... with care My heart is allowed to be tender My heart is allowed to open slowly There is no rush here There is only this moment, and me [Mantra ] I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. Verse 2: The voice inside me grows quieter, kinder I am learning to hold myself the way I hold others Every part of me deserves tenderness Even the parts I've kept hidden Even the parts I forgot to love [Mantra ] I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I don't have to be hard to be strong I can be gentle and still stand tall I speak to myself the way I'd speak to someone I love With patience... with kindness... with care My heart is allowed to be tender My heart is allowed to open slowly There is no rush here There is only this moment, and me [Mantra ] I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. Verse 2: The voice inside me grows quieter, kinder I am learning to hold myself the way I hold others Every part of me deserves tenderness Even the parts I've kept hidden Even the parts I forgot to love [Mantra ] I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften. I am gentle with myself. I am safe to soften.