If you’re a big Whitney Houston fan 
you might recognise this track as the original cut 
of “Greatest Love of All” with the piano intro.
I never knew Whitney Houston, 
but her passing gave me pause to think about her contribution to my own life. 
This song that she made famous 
has brought me a lot of comfort over the years. 
Sometimes when I’m feeling down, 
low on myself, or disconnected from love 
I’ll make a cup of tea  
sit down, and put this CD on, 
and listen to track nine. 
It helps me to put things into perspective 
and reminds me of what is most important.
While many songs are about romance and things like that, 
this is one of those rare popular songs 
that deals so directly with feelings, 
and mental well being. 
I’ve had this CD since I was a kid 
and I believe this message is as true today 
as it was when the song was recorded back in the day.
I believe a lot of problems in this life 
stem from people not dealing with their emotions. 
Instead of talking about our feelings and processing them 
many of us just bottle it all up 
until it becomes like poison. 
And when it gets like that 
it can come out in some really nasty ways. 
My childhood was not easy. 
It was a rather traumatic experience 
defined by instability, abuse
and profound disconnection from family and love. 
A lot of people from my background 
don’t always turn out so well, 
and I credit a lot of my current stability 
to the many teachers, social workers, childcare workers, 
and foster parents who showed me there could be a different way. 
This song was introduced to me by my child care worker 
Brenda Copeland back in 1991.
Every time I hear about it 
I think about her 
and the positive impact she had on my life.
Brenda took the time to teach me  
that my feelings were legitimate,authentic
and that I could fully express them 
without hurting myself, or others. 
I was shown a healthier way 
and every day I try to remember this.
I suppose I’m like a lot of people, 
from many backgrounds and life experiences, 
when I say that a lot of my negative emotions 
and ideas are rooted 
in low self-esteem. 
I’ve always struggled with self-esteem, 
I still do.
But I find it’s gotten a lot better over the years. 
I have the tools to work through it a bit more
and not be constantly governed 
by those nasty voices of insecurity.
On the surface, dwelling on self love 
may seem very selfish,
but I think It carries huge benefit for others. 
When I govern myself from a place 
of self love and acceptance
I find I can appreciate the gifts of others 
a lot more 
and treat those around me 
with greater kindness and understanding. 
Alternately, if I’m treating someone like crap, 
it’s probably because I have some issues with myself 
that I need to deal with.
I don’t think we need to look outside of ourselves 
to know and appreciate 
the truth and beauty of who we are.  
If I can find a place within myself, 
to remember that I’m a person worthy of love
I think I’m gonna be okay.
When we all do this 
I think we can really show the next generation 
a better way.
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest gift of all.
