# Be Kind to the Child in the Mirror *Track 05 — Langley Corey* [Spoken Intro — soft piano, delicate violin] My babies... One day you'll look in the mirror And notice everything you wish you could change. But the person looking back Is someone you'll spend your whole life with. Please be kind to them. [Verse 1 — fragile vocals, mournful violin] I used to stand before the glass, Counting all the ways I'd failed my past. Every crooked smile, every misplaced word, Every little flaw I thought deserved Another whispered, quiet shame, Another reason to take the blame. I saw everything that wasn't right, Forgot the girl who survived the night. I called her foolish, called her weak, For all the times she couldn't speak. Never stopped to wonder why She held such storms behind her eyes. [Pre-Chorus — strings rising] If I could reach through yesterday, I'd take those cruel little words away. I'd hold her face and let her know What every child deserves to be told. [Chorus — soaring electric violin] Be kind to the child in the mirror, The one who's learning how to grow. You don't have to love each little scar To know you're worthy as you are. Hold that heart a little nearer, Give yourself the grace you'd give another. When your reflection feels hard to love, Remember, darling, you're enough. Oh, be kind... To the child in the mirror. [Verse 2 — Celtic fiddle, acoustic guitar] I wish I'd known that getting things wrong Didn't mean I didn't belong. That asking for help wasn't giving in, That mistakes weren't written on my skin. I wish I'd laughed at my crooked lines, Let my dreams take their own sweet time. Instead of measuring every day By everything that didn't go my way. Now seven hearts are watching me, Learning what loving yourself should mean. I don't want them growing up Thinking they're only worthy when they're good enough. [Pre-Chorus — angelic harmonies] So I'll learn to speak with softer words, Even when my own heart hurts. Because how I treat myself today May shape what my children learn to say. [Chorus — full Celtic-Norse rock] Be kind to the child in the mirror, The one who's learning how to grow. You don't have to love each little scar To know you're worthy as you are. Hold that heart a little nearer, Give yourself the grace you'd give another. When your reflection feels hard to love, Remember, darling, you're enough. Oh, be kind... To the child in the mirror. [Instrumental — 30 seconds, emotional Celtic violin] [Verse 3 — intimate maternal vocals] To my boys, when you feel small, When your courage doesn't come at all, Don't call yourself weak for needing a hand, Even the strongest need someone who understands. And my girl, when you see your face, Don't compare it to somebody else's grace. Your beauty isn't something you must earn, Or something the world gets to determine. And all my babies, when you make mistakes, When your heart feels heavy with the choices you make, Own what you've done and make things right, But don't punish yourself for the rest of your life. [Bridge — stripped piano, trembling violin] Sometimes I still see that little girl, Trying to be perfect for an imperfect world. And sometimes I hear myself saying things I'd never say to one of my little wings. [Almost whispered] Why am I so hard on her? Why do I make her hurt? Why can't I give her the kindness I'd give anyone else on Earth? [Building — emotional violin rising] So tonight I'll stand before the glass, And make some peace with my own past. Not every wound has disappeared, Not every lesson has become clear. But I can love her while I learn, She doesn't have to suffer to deserve her turn! [Electric Violin Solo — 40 seconds, soaring Norse drums] [Final Chorus — powerful, layered harmonies] BE KIND TO THE CHILD IN THE MIRROR! The one who's still becoming you! You don't have to hide your imperfect heart Or tear your beautiful reflection apart! Hold that soul a little nearer, Speak with love until you hear her! And if you could see through Mama's eyes, You'd never doubt you deserve to shine! Be gentle when you're starting over, Be proud of every hill you've climbed. When the world feels cold and unforgiving, Let your own heart be somewhere kind. Oh, be kind... Be kind... To the child in the mirror! [Outro — soft lullaby violin] Little hands and little dreams, A heart can hurt and still be whole. You deserve the same compassion You give to every other soul. [Spoken Outro — tender female voice] My babies... If you wouldn't say it to someone you love, Please don't say it to yourself. You're allowed to make mistakes. You're allowed to learn. You're allowed to forgive yourself. And when you look in that mirror... I hope you see someone worth being kind to. Because I do. Every single day. Love, Mama.
