Jill’s heart hammered as she approached the microphone at the local café’s open mic night. Her guitar felt heavy, her voice unsteady. She hesitated, unsure if anyone in the crowd would relate to her original song—one she wrote through a period of loss and healing.
The first notes trembled out, but as she continued, her nerves turned into focus. Her lyrics painted scenes of heartbreak and hope, reaching people in a way she never managed in conversation. Jill saw someone wipe a tear; someone else smiled knowingly.
When the final chord faded, applause erupted. A stranger approached, thanking her for sharing her truth. In that moment, Jill understood that even if her voice shook, her openness offered a lifeline to others. If you want to know me—truly know—you’ll find my heart in my music. Know me through my music.


