LOVE YOURSELF

I wrote this in January 2003 after spending four months living in my car. I hadn't spoken to my best friend, my rock, in 6 months after a horrible fight. I'd just ended a \"relationship\" that was hurting me that still holds a piece of me today. I'd finally made my way to California, after months of wishing I was there, only to find my cat Truck, the reason I banished thoughts of suicide from my mind, dead on a hill in Long Beach California, 3 days before Christmas. At this point, all alone in my car in a strange place, I think I lost my mind a bit (literally. I called 911 after being certain I'd seen a dead body on the side of the road which didn't exist). I'd spent most of 2002 screwing up everything it seemed, and losing all the relationships that kept me going.

Sometime in January, while sleeping on a friends couch, it hit me. From nothing, anything is possible. (thank you Landmark) I could start over, and create something new and exciting, but it first began with loving me.....

LOVE YOURSELF

When times are tough
And your all alone
No place to turn
No where to call home
LOVE YOURSELF

When you've given your love
With all your heart and soul
To those you hold dear
But you still don't feel whole
LOVE YOURSELF

When your best friend walks away
Then another one dies
Someone turns their back
And you break down and cry
LOVE YOURSELF

You FINALLY succeed in
Something you do
Then it all falls apart
And you have to start brand new
LOVE YOURSELF

You look in the mirror and
Don't like what you see
So much work to do
til you can love \"me\"
LOVE YOURSELF

So many friends and
family say
You've messed up your life
You've gone astray
LOVE YOURSELF

LOVE YOURSELF when no one's left
LOVE YOURSELF when you aren't the best
LOVE YOURSELF when you feel alone
LOVE YOURSELF when you have no home
LOVE YOURSELF when someone dies
LOVE YOURSELF when you break down and cry
LOVE YOURSELF when you hate who you see
PROMISE YOURSELF that you'll work on \"me\"
AND DON'T YOU LET WHAT OTHERS SAY
TAKE THE SUNSHINE FROM YOUR DAY

Only you can be your home
Make you feel whole when you're all alone
Be your friend when no one's left
Look within and find happiness

So when it seems no one's left
Believing in you
Look deep within and
To your own heart be true

And when you feel
you can't go on
Pick yourself up
Write a brand new song

Look in the mirror and
smile at you
You're a precious gift
Let that smile be true

And don't dare be afraid to
ask for help
Sometimes you need to
When you LOVE YOURSELF