Yes...in my fifties, and trying to find my voice...still.
In having a reserved and cautious personality, I have often found it difficult to say out loud my true thoughts and feelings, especially in the moment, but I have grown and become stronger and learned to speak up. I am proud of some particular moments when I've stood up, to the surprise of some, and spoken out my thoughts and said out loud what I really felt.
A few months ago my husband sent me a link to a video on Facebook that was circulating and it so resonated with me and struck such a deep place within me that I sent it to my daughters and to my close friends. It was me--in so many ways, it was me. Everything You Ever Wanted is on the Other Side of Fear. Then, a few weeks later, in a completely coincidental event, I came across a video that I would not have otherwise sought out and that again struck such a deep place within me that it brought tears to my eyes and I found myself watching it over and over and over again in the days and weeks that followed, turning up the volume, listening with earbuds, taking in the message, over and over. I was embarrassed to tell anyone--it was a video by a young, beautiful, pop-star diva--and it was bringing me to tears.
Someone was trying to tell me something.
Then a close friend at work sent me an email with another link...you have to hear this, she said--another young, beautiful, pop-star singing about bravery and saying what you want to say--it was all adding up. Find your bravery.
Find your voice...say what you mean to say...ROAR if you have to...but find your voice.
Find your voice...say what you mean to say...ROAR if you have to...but find your voice.
It's a challenge so many of us find ourselves up against, especially as girls and women. So here's to us--we who are challenging the world with our voices. Here's to my 81-year-old mother speaking up for herself in ways she never has before and learning to manage a checkbook and pay bills for the first time in her life. Here's to my daughter who has found a peace and centeredness she didn't know she had--within her very own heart. Here's to my shy, quiet 8-year-old granddaughter who wants to sing like Adele. Here's to my step-daughter and my daughters-in-law who are changing their lives for the better by being brave, speaking up for themselves, and challenging the world with their voices, thoughts, and feelings. Here's to my friend who finally spoke up for herself and told the truth--and then made a very difficult and risky decision that will change her life forever. Here's to me for speaking back to the vulgar customer at work, for speaking up in my family and with my friends. For not remaining silent anymore.
Clearly, even the young, famous, rich, and beautiful among us have not escaped this great challenge either. Pop star, working mom, old, young, rich, poor, beautiful or homely...let's link arms and re-courage each other. Each of us is facing great battles--within and without. Let's find our voices together.
