I'm here to open up about one of my great loves...

It involves singing, with a mic, in front of strangers, at the most nonjudgmental bar on Wednesday nights.

Karaoke has been a consistent part of my life since last fall. But it hasn't been easy -- sharing my voice with songs that mean something to me is ridiculously vulnerable.

There are two big things I've learned lately from my karaoke escapades:

1. As hard as I might try, I'm never going to sound just like that artist. But that's the point -- it's my voice, my version of that song, that I'm sharing.

2. No matter how many people listen or resonate with it, or how loud the applause is, the real reward is what I'm giving myself.

Karaoke brings me back to the 5-year-old girl who put on dress-up clothes and performed Mariah Carey, NSYNC and Shania Twain in the living room while her mom held the camcorder.

At that early age I struggled with self-consciousness, terrified of others' responses to me being vulnerable. But after a bit of coaxing from my parents, the inhibitions lowered and I brought the house down.

More than a hobby, karaoke has become an act of owning my voice and expression, and ultimately, loving myself.

So, when I needed to buy a new speaker for my yoga classes, I chose one that included a hand-held mic.

Now, I bring karaoke to the most powerful place: in my own home, completely by myself, just like the days of my childhood concerts, 20+ years later.

Karaoke is healing me. It's bringing me home, back to a version of myself that's unfiltered, pure, true, full.

I'm not telling you to get a karaoke machine or get on stage with me.

But I am asking you to remember that your unique voice, in all its forms, adds value to the world in a way that only you can.

How might you share who you are a little more boldly, loudly, freely this week, even if it's just with yourself?