Lately I have been listening to the album “The Blessed Unrest” by Sara Bareilles.
From “I Choose You” being the song my wife and I chose to walk down the aisle to (before my egg cracked) to that same beautiful woman playing “Brave” for me - giving me strength to come out as trans to family. This album has become a staple in my transition and it’s easy to see my self throughout it’s lyrics and melodies.
“Hercules” is also a good song about pleading for inner strength - which for me, means becoming my authentic self as Olivia. Here is a verse from that song that resonates with me:
I’ve lost a grip on where I started from I wish I’d thought ahead and left a few crumbs I’m on the hunt for who I’ve not yet become But I’d settle for little equilibrium There is a war inside my heart gone silent Both sides dissatisfied and somewhat violent The issue I have now begun to see I am the only lonely casualty
Bit of a weird one but because I love the sea, and sailing, the classic folk song “The Mary Ellen Carter” by Stan Rogers really gets me fired up. It’s about a ship that sinks and the efforts of the crew to raise her and sail her again. When I feel at my emotional worst the last verse repeats in my mind:
“And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow, with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go: turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain and like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again!”
Giving me chills and I haven’t even heard the song, great choice!