The Comfort Coloring Book

Introduction

This book loves you. It adores you. It’s so happy to tell you that. It’s gazing up at you, moved by how completely special you are. It’s beaming warmth, hugs and smiles at you right now. Every page in this book is celebrating you. Each drawing asked to be included so it could remind you how extraordinary you are. Without trying, just by being you, you make everything better. You matter. You contribute. You add more awesome to the universe. It’s true. You don’t have to do anything or try for it to be true. It just is. You are good. It’s just who you are. It’s built into your blueprint. And life loves you. You can relax, enjoy, and just be.

Kids really get this. If you’ve ever seen a small child playing with a dog, there’s no difference between them: neither one of them is trying to do anything. They’re just playing. They’re just present. They’re being what they are. Effortless. Joyful. Alive!

Coloring has the amazing ability to instantly transport us to that childlike way of being. There’s a timeless quality and spaciousness that comes with coloring. It returns us to a natural state of ease, freedom and simplicity. We’re reconnected with our innate and healthy human functions of play, dreaming, and utter and complete relaxation in the present moment.

Recently I was doing some shopping, and the saleswoman and I got to talking. The second I mentioned coloring books, her whole body visibly relaxed, her face got softer and brighter, and there seemed to be more space and breath all around her. “Oh, I love coloring books!” She gushed, smiling and turning towards me excitedly. I swear she looked younger! She immediately started telling me about a time when she was in college and got the flu. She’d gone to get some soup and some things from the drug store. She happened upon some coloring books and thought, “Ahh! I haven’t colored in years. That’s the perfect thing for me right now.” She bought the coloring books and some crayons, went home with her soup, and spent some happy days convalescing, actually glad to have the excuse to color. “Ever since then,” she told me, “I keep my own stash of crayons. I’m a mom now so I keep my crayons in a jar up high where my daughter can’t get them. One day my daughter saw them and asked about them, and I told her those were mommy’s special crayons so she’d have to use her own. We color together too, but I wait until after she goes to bed to use my crayons.” The saleswoman had forgotten me for the moment, and I was moved by her deep and obvious love, both for her child, and for the crayons she kept for herself. “I’ve been thinking lately that I need to get some pens and colored pencils too,” she trailed off dreamily…..

I LOVED hearing the woman’s story. I love that she recognized early in her adult life that coloring is still available to her. I love that she gives herself time and space to do it regularly. I love that it obviously uplifts and rejuvenates her. But most of all, I love that she honors herself by having her own special crayons. For her, coloring is more than relaxing; it’s an act of self love.

This book is all about that self love. Because it’s a coloring book it can help you step into that easy childlike way of being. But while you are in that relaxed state, it also reminds you about how wonderful you are and how much you are loved. This is a comfort coloring book – a place to be soothed and loved back into knowing that all is well. The words and images are all saying, “Hi, honey. I love you. Life loves you. Don’t forget how wonderful you are. Remember to be nice to you. Remember to listen to you and adore you. We do!”

Every page in this book wants you to know it recognizes your specialness. Each page is a love letter in amazement of how much you offer the world just by being yourself. This book truly loves you, and I am so happy it gets to tell you that.

All my love and amazement too,

Christina Brittain

September 2015