Life is the full gamut of everything. In a world where so much is going on all the time, around us, within us and in the circles of our personal lives, there are many layers of truth.

Apart from recognising the ups and downs of mental health within myself and at times others around me, the following quote from A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh, was part of the inspiration for this song title and idea.

“Piglet?" said Pooh.

"Yes Pooh?" said Piglet.

"Do you ever have days when everything feels... Not Very Okay At All? And sometimes you don't even know why you feel Not Very Okay At All, you just know that you do."

Piglet nodded his head sagely. "Oh yes," said Piglet. "I definitely have those days."

"Really?" said Pooh in surprise. "I would never have thought that. You always seem so happy and like you have got everything in life all sorted out."

"Ah," said Piglet. "Well here's the thing. There are two things that you need to know, Pooh. The first thing is that even those pigs, and bears, and people, who seem to have got everything in life all sorted out... they probably haven't. Actually, everyone has days when they feel Not Very Okay At All. Some people are just better at hiding it than others."

"And the second thing you need to know... is that it's okay to feel Not Very Okay At All. It can be quite normal, in fact. And all you need to do, on those days when you feel Not Very Okay At All, is come and find me, and tell me. Don't ever feel like you have to hide the fact you're feeling Not Very Okay At All. Always come and tell me. Because I will always be there.""

Sometimes people take on board the idea that they ought to always be happy. There are different ways to feel and the fact is that feelings do shift and change.

At a time when the prevalence of mental illness is more common than we may like to think, it needs to be recognised that mental, emotional and spiritual care are just as important as everyday physical care. In fact, in some circles it is understood that some cases of unresolved emotional and mental trouble can actually manifest into physical symptoms of dis-ease.

Self-care begins with self-compassion and self-acceptance. Coming to terms with understanding ourselves, helps us better understand others. Everyone has days when everything is not ok and that can be quite normal. It's OK to Not be OK.

Bringing acceptance to the present moment is about not being governed by reactivity. Without the habit of reacting, one can become the impartial observer of pleasant and unpleasant without attachment, craving or aversion. From the teachings of the Buddha, dealing with the actual cause of suffering is not something outside of us but rather the sensations that occur within us.

On the basis of the saying what you resist persists... Eckhart Tolle says.
"To be OK with what is, which is the simplicity of this moment is the beginning of true change."
To gain insight into this perspective from Eckhart Tolle view his video online - "Accepting the Present Moment, not the Life Situation".

At a greater level, a healing song for a world of change will always start with ourselves.