In life, there are many times when we must embark on a journey.
Sometimes we travel with companions,
but more often, we journey alone.

The long journey you are about to take—
with teayii in this book—is no different.

This book collects the seasons of the heart,
passing through various pains,
some from my own experiences, some shared by others.

I only hope this book
makes your happiness feel more tangible,
and your suffering less like a thorn piercing your heart,
but more like a blanket offering warmth
to your soul.

Perhaps some passages in this book
will help you reclaim your heart.
And if not today,
may this be a source of strength for all travelers
to not give up and keep moving forward.

At certain times of the day,
at certain moments in life,
we may feel utterly alone.

No one beside us, no one at all
to share our joys and sorrows.
All we can do is let those feelings
echo silently within our hearts.

But even if they remain silent,
at least we have ourselves to listen,
to stand by our side,
and to understand us best of all.

No matter what happens,
no matter who leaves us behind,
we must never abandon ourselves.

This book will be another companion
to stay with us, comfort us, guide us—
helping us see our worth
and never lose our true selves.

Often, growth leaves us exhausted without even realizing it.
In those moments, all we need is a
“safe space for our feelings,”
like a “home” where we can find refuge
and truly be ourselves.

A home is more than just a building—
it’s a sanctuary, a collection of good memories,
and an emotional place
waiting for someone to always come back.

Everyone has a home (in their heart),
some have found it,
while others are still searching.

Be both a good home where others can rest,
and a warm home for yourself, always.

Whenever you feel weary,
this book will be like a “portable home,”
a small refuge to rest,
and a healing place for every heart. 🙂

Every joy we’ve lost
has always taught us something.
And every sorrow that fades away
has always made space for a new beginning.

Take a moment to reflect—
on yourself, and everything around you.
As we grow and move forward,
what might we have accidentally dropped along the way?

Perhaps it was a beautiful relationship.
Perhaps, someone who once mattered.
Maybe it was a memory from childhood,
or maybe, just maybe—
it was ourselves that we lost.

So often, we focus only
on the things we’ve lost around us—
the things we think mattered most.
And in doing so,
those losses become both our happiness
and our sorrow—at once.

Sometimes, we carry those feelings for so long
that we forget:
we are the ones breaking,
we are the ones fading,
if we keep failing to see
our own worth.

But no matter what—
the “us” we lost along the way
helped shape the person we are today.
Some things lost brought better things in return.
And some losses…
led us back to parts of ourselves
we never even knew existed.

So ask again:
on this path of growing up,
what part of you might you have dropped along the way?

—

A short piece by 1991,
author of “Just Hold Yourself Tight on the Days the World Turns Cruel”