Power of Voice

I took more years than I care to admit to discover my Voice, but once I did there was no turning back. What does that exactly mean? Well, for most of my life I let others words, choices, opinions, views and criticism become my own. I never gave myself a change to define my journey from the very beginning. I took them as they were the bible of life and lived them thoroughly until all of my life came crashing down before me.
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We live in an age where every voice you could possibly imagine is shouting out via one social media scenario to the next as an absolute truth. Young men and women are having a hard time daily defining who they are in this very moment for everywhere they turn they are pressured to be or say one thing or another. How could they possibly discover what their voice wanted to shout?!
 
All my life, I quietly sat by and let others around me speak for me, using their voice in my journey allowing for much to go on that wasn’t always healthy. I never really knew I had a voice as loud as it is inside of me until Anorexia broke me after fourteen years of an undeniable hell. I walked through healing with this emerging voice now demanding to be heard!
 
How many of you have silenced your voice at any given time on your journey? You are in a store and a mother will say something to a child that is just so awful you can see the life draining from the soft eyes of this little person...but we think it's not our business to get involved. Or in any given political debate where you have an opinion, but think you are not educated enough to offer up a suggestion? You silently nod or agree to whatever is being said knowing you do not. Or your partner and you are simply on two different pages, but the fear of stirring the pot is greater than your words. Then the worst of all, when you allow for an ad in a magazine, on television or in social media to tell you what you are or are not. A little piece of you dies inside in each of these scenarios until there is no life left.
 
When that goes on for a long enough time, the consequences can be irreparable. It is so important to express ourselves on every level. It allows for the uniqueness to thrive in our world and remind all those listening that diversity teaches a brilliant story. It allows for ONE voice not to be the majority. It allows for people to stop and think for themselves, to ask questions and constantly change the direction of the journey bringing it true beauty and fulfillment.
 
Today my voice is often loud, the quality of my life is richer for it. The friends and relationships in my life are of those who walk with me in such passion that they can only support my life's journey and make it stronger. Consider how rich your life would be if you were honest with yourself and others along the way.
 
I share this since I believe inside there is a voice aching to shout out something new in each one of you. A voice that can only add to the world. I write to remind myself of the importance of never letting the silence return. I write to challenge anyone reading this to use your voice in a way you may have not otherwise thought to do or had the courage to do so before today.
 
Watch the life that will thrive after you do so! Watch a child come to life! What people start to mirror your voice! It’s infectious and it will make everyone around you shine!!
 
What do you want to say today?