Sara Bareilles

I should be studying. Instead, I am watching a Sara Bareilles concert that was live streamed on Yahoo last night.

I’ve mentioned before that music was, is, and will continue to be a huge part of my recovery and my journey through life in general. Sara Bareilles has played a huge role along the way. From “Gravity” to “Brave” and everything in between, I have found solace, strength, and hope in her authentic and transparent lyrics. Each song is a message and many feel like Sara is reaching out to say, “you are not alone,” “it’s okay to be you,” and “you are strong enough to face any situation head on.”

Last night, I finished reading her new book, “Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) In Song.” It was incredible! Each chapter gave a backstory to a particular song, giving it a personal meaning from Sara, alongside the meaning it holds for each listener. I wish it was longer! Each sentence was like an intimate conversation, showing Sara’s authenticity goes beyond her lyrics – she is the songs she writes.

One of my favorite paragraphs of the entire book is in the chapter, “Beautiful Girl.” This chapter is comprised of letters Sara wrote to herself throughout different phases of her life. One in particular reads,

“Things evolve into other things. Emotions do the same. Forever. Your best ally in all of these shifting seas is your faith in the fact that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Stay put. Stay soft. Stay gentle and kind. Listen to your instincts. Meditate. Pray. Laugh as much as humanly possible. Pain is okay too. Say thank you for all of it. Feel proud that you have spent most of your life’s energy on cultivating a strong connection to your own soul and the will of your heart. It is leading you somewhere deeply satisfying but never perfect. Observe what is painful right now and see if you can stay courageous enough to share it wholly and honestly. Invite it into your house and be a good student. You are a patchwork quilt of all of these past selves, all these wounded little girls, and they are all here too, listening in some form or another…”

The connection Sara is able to make with her words is incredible. These letters left me speechless. As did the entire book. Each chapter left me feeling a little more understood and a little less alone in the crazy, unpredictable journey of life.

The final chapter was about a song from Sara’s new musical, Waitress. The song, “She Used To Be Mine,” gave me chills and left me in tears the first time I heard it…and the second, and the third.

I think the chorus is a place where a lot of women can see themselves:

“She’s imperfect but she tries

She is good but she lies

She is hard on herself

She is broken and won’t ask for help

She is messy but she’s kind

She is lonely most of the time

She is all of this mixed up

And baked in a beautiful pie

She is gone but she used to be mine.”

Once again, Sara’s lyrics left me feeling seen, heard, and validated. I’m not sure how she manages to do this EVERY SINGLE TIME, but she does!

Music, especially Sara’s music, has taught me so much throughout my journey. Important lessons about myself, about others, about bravery and strength, about honesty, about love, and so much more. Lessons that have changed me, shaped me, and guided me through this journey.

I highly recommend not only her music, but her book, to anyone who feels alone, broken, or a little messy. I also recommend it to any and everyone else. 🙂

And thanks to Sara for being open and honest and for sharing your talent with the world.

You are a brave, beautiful, badass!