"Relax"

a song for my inner critic

A couple months ago (August 2023) I took myself to the Redwoods for a few days to sit in the trees and unplug. At the time I was dealing with some darkness and anxiety, and was trying to do anything I could to just feel better.

I brought my journal, my guitar, a good book, stayed in this gorgeous, tiny little Air B&B smack dab in the middle of the forest and talked (and listened) to what the Universe had to share with me.

"What's going on here Universe?  Why the gloom? Why do I feel so lost right now?"

I found solace sitting quietly among the trees, soaking in their energy. I wandered through the forest and scribbled in my journal – a collection of dreams and insights that gently unfolded over the days.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't seem to be inspired to write any songs.  I brought a guitar, but didn't feel inspired to play it much.

After a couple of days, I packed up the car and headed home.

As I was driving, I began talking to God in the car.

Seriously, what has been going on over the last month with me?

Why can't I pull myself out of this funk? 

Why is the inner critic louder than ever in my ears these days?

I've already done the work to overcome this voice, how did it make such a glorious comeback?!

I've been meditating, I've been asking for answers, I've been eating clean...

I'm doing all the right things to feel better!

Why can't I feel YOU right now?

And all of a sudden, I heard a very calm and loving voice say.... 

"you don't need to try so hard.... relax".

As the voice passed through my ears, I saw an exit sign on my right hand side that said "Freedom" and I couldn't help but smile, talk about a God Wink.

Suddenly, I heard a melody along with lyrics pouring into a head… a song was coming through. 

Initially I looked up to the sky and said, "Really?! Now?! I was in the Redwoods with my guitar and NOW you're giving me a song?!"

“Just write…”

So I grabbed my iPhone, opened up my voice memo recorder, and wrote this song in the car while driving back from the Redwoods.

I later came to realize that this is a song FOR that inner critic. 

Instead of trying to silence her, I’ve learned to let her have her have a seat at the table, and I’ve decided to call her Marge.

The worktape is REALLY rough as I did it while driving (along with my attempt at beat boxing what I think the drum groove would be 😂).

I also shot a video of me playing it the other night so I could share where it’s at now.

I played it at an open mic recently, and let people know it was a song for Marge.

Turns out, everybody had their own Marge and found it easy to relate!

Here’s the worktape from the car:

Lyrics

Relax

I see you rolling up your sleeves

I know you only want the best for me 

And you pull out every trick you know

But zoomin in a way too close to see 

That we're free

(pre chorus)

So lay your hammer down 

Take a breather

Sit the next one out

Everything is allllll right 

(Chorus)

You can relax

Sit back 

Yeah I got it from here 

Stepping into the love

And away from the fear 

So you can relax 

Keep calm 

Cuz there’s nothing to do 

Ain’t it such a relief

That’s there’s nothing to prove 

Now you did you best

So it’s not that you’re fired

But rather my friend /dear 

You can simply retire 

You can relax 

You can relax 

You can relax 

You can relax 

Oh it fills my heart with wonder

Just think of all the places that you’ll go 

Instead of paddling up against the stream

You’ll flip onto your back and you’ll just flow

Where the wind blows

Take your maps and plans

Put ‘em in the universes hands

Everything is perfect

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

We’re always being guided

Even when we think we’re driving

We’re always being guided

Even when we think we’re driving