I have always been vocal about my fangirling over Clara Benin. Besides her ethereal voice and her superb songwriting skills, her character is probably the main reason why I have always been her fan.
Heavy is the mind that's filled with worry
Paralyzed by sad news on TV
All I get from sleep are these strange and apocalyptic dreams
How do I make them leave?
I muster all my strength and look out the window
No children on the sidewalks and no cars on the streets
Isn't it ironic, this used to be a holiday scene
But now we're under siege
Is it okay if I close my eyes
Is it okay if I take my time
Just for a little while
Just for a little while
Just for a little while
It's Okay is one of those songs written to help us cope. We're all facing the same pandemic, but we don't get to deal with it the same way. I don't have enough strength yet to write how this current season has been draining all of us, but I love how this song encapsulates what I've been feeling so far, in one way or another.
Clara explained that she wrote this song "as a reminder to give yourself permission to take time to process what's happening". To encourage all of us, including herself, that it's okay to take care of your heart, mind, and soul". It is her hope that this song helps us go through whatever it is we're going through right now.
I remember crying while listening to this the day Clara released it. Because, as a control freak, I hated how this pandemic has stripped off all my ability to control what's happening. Day by day, I'd find myself feeling lost, angry, scared, hopeless...sometimes, all at the same time.
But, thank God for the arts. Thank God for sustaining artists who are able to put into words what we find difficult to express.
My heart is broken that not a lot of people get to find refuge in songs like this, simply because they couldn't afford to stop and breathe. I pray for all of us, that God will use things and people to remind each and every one of us that we are where we are supposed to be. And I pray for strength for all of us, to survive and eventually, thrive again soon.
Heavy is the soul that's gone to war
With questions of who's really in control
So I plead, I plead myself to fight to see that this
Is where I'm supposed to be right now
While we do not see the end of this yet, let's keep encouraging ourselves that it's okay to not be okay.
Weather this storm together with your loved ones. I'll pray for you. For all of us. It's okay. We're going to be okay.