5 Things India.Arie Knows For Sure
The soulful singer, who brings her passion to the Essence Festival in June, on the gifts of song and second chances.
Join Oprah, India.Arie and other inspiring members of the Super Soul 100 aboard our Share the Adventure cruise this summer.
Join Oprah, India.Arie and other inspiring members of the Super Soul 100 aboard our Share the Adventure cruise this summer.
Photo: Kate Belle
We all need a sacred place.
It's important to have a place where you can recharge. Everybody's is different, but I do think it should entail quiet because it needs to be where you hear your spirit most clearly. For me, that's the prayer room in my apartment. And since my home is 700 square feet, I mean the coat closet near the front door.
When in doubt, play Stevie Wonder.
Listening to Songs in the Key of Life always puts me in a good mood. That is my music. And Bob Marley—but it's got to be loud!
Freedom is yours to take.
For the first ten years of my career, I felt suffocated. People constantly stood over me while I tried to create. And in 2009, I hit rock bottom. I couldn't find myself because I was looking to be defined by the music industry or by being number one on the Billboard charts. But I finally realized no one was going to say to me, "Hey, go be free and love yourself!" I had to make self-love my mission, so I did.
Music is more than background noise.
Just like the air you breathe or the water you drink, music shapes you. The trouble is, most people don't use it to spread love and healing. But I think music can make a social contribution if you're responsible with it.
Relationships are like rooms.
You've got to walk through one door to get to the next. There's no knowing whether you'll stay in any given room forever, but you've got to enter it to find out.
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It's important to have a place where you can recharge. Everybody's is different, but I do think it should entail quiet because it needs to be where you hear your spirit most clearly. For me, that's the prayer room in my apartment. And since my home is 700 square feet, I mean the coat closet near the front door.
When in doubt, play Stevie Wonder.
Listening to Songs in the Key of Life always puts me in a good mood. That is my music. And Bob Marley—but it's got to be loud!
Freedom is yours to take.
For the first ten years of my career, I felt suffocated. People constantly stood over me while I tried to create. And in 2009, I hit rock bottom. I couldn't find myself because I was looking to be defined by the music industry or by being number one on the Billboard charts. But I finally realized no one was going to say to me, "Hey, go be free and love yourself!" I had to make self-love my mission, so I did.
Music is more than background noise.
Just like the air you breathe or the water you drink, music shapes you. The trouble is, most people don't use it to spread love and healing. But I think music can make a social contribution if you're responsible with it.
Relationships are like rooms.
You've got to walk through one door to get to the next. There's no knowing whether you'll stay in any given room forever, but you've got to enter it to find out.
Want more stories like this delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Oprah.com Inspiration Newsletter!
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