It took me four years to compose this song. I started writing it at 30,000 feet, while I was on an airplane coming home from a music convention in Nashville. The lyrics started as a lament over having been embarrassed in front of some relatively famous people. I kept wishing that I had just stayed at home, because that way at least I could've avoided revealing parts of me I don't want people to see.

For some reason I just couldn't finish the song, so I kept putting it down and picking it back up. It drove me crazy. Over time I worked through some of my embarrassment and regret by consciously trying to accept my own humanity. I eventually realized that I could either hide or show up, knowing full well that showing up is risky. We are all a mixed bag, heroes and scoundrels, sinners and saints. This song was reflective of my resolve to try and give it all, the good, the bad and the embarrassing. Trying to relate to people in a way that only allows them to see the filtered "Laura" -- the one who carefully calculates what she's going to say and avoids anything that would cast her in a negative light – means withholding a significant part of who I am. Somehow I don't think we can hold parts of ourselves back without diminishing what we're willing to give.

When I finally finished the song it I realized that it wasn't just about the Nashville episode, it was somewhat the story of my life. Of course I didn't have that intention when writing it, but then that's the beauty of art.

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