We talk a lot about angels here.

At Women on Fire, we are angels to each other as we walk this path toward our dreams – or on the journey to figure out our dreams.

And this week I got to meet an angel whose work and music has inspired my own life’s path and miracles.  Many of you have told me you love her too!

Canadian singer, songwriter Sarah McLachlan is an original Woman on Fire.

When her passion to fully share her music was thwarted, she found another way to make her dreams happen. And she chose other women to help her do it!

In the 1990s, Sarah became frustrated with concert promoters and radio stations that refused to feature two female musicians in a row.  (I shudder to think of the “logic” behind that!?)

Outraged and empowered, she set out to change the disparity by highlighting and promoting her musical sisterhood.

She co-founded the successful Lilith Fair, a touring music festival, to shine the light exclusively on female solo artists and female-led bands.

In its initial three years of concerts throughout North America, Lilith Fair advanced the popularity of women’s music to new heights – and raised more than $10 million for women’s charities.

And while Lilith Fair is no longer, Sarah McLachlan, now 46 and a mom of two daughters, is back and stronger than ever touring the United States and Canada this summer.

A couple of nights ago, I had the great fortune to meet her before her concert in Bangor, Maine.  As I approached her, wanting to be proper I reached out to shake her hand.  She laughed, opened her arms wide, smiled that beautiful smile of hers, and informed me: “I am a hugger.”

That she was.  And for a moment there, I am pretty sure I was in the arms of an angel!

Every day I hear stories of how you are helping each other. How you lift up each other and support one another. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for our sisterhood of angels — and keep the stories coming.

Just as Sarah discovered in her career, and we know here, joining forces with other women is one of the best strategies to get to your goals and dreams. Who can you reach out to this week?

As inspiration, I thought you might enjoy the lyrics and video to one of Sarah’s best-loved songs.  It’s a reminder that we are in this together.  And that a big hug and a loving arm goes a long way to provide comfort on the journey.

Angel
Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there’s always some reason
to feel not good enough
and it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memories seep from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I’ll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you’re in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there’s vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lies
that you make up for all that you lack
it don’t make no difference
escaping one last time
it’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you’re in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here
you’re in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here.

Have a great week, angels!

I’ll see a number of you this week in Columbus, Ohio when I speak to 14,000 women (angels;-) about the power of building community at 31 Gifts national conference at Nationwide Arena.

(Next week in The Spark! I’ll share how I overcame my phobia to speak to more than a handful of people!)

Love,