This September, I will have been writing blog posts here for FIVE YEARS!!! Starting with this post.
The experience has been extraordinary to me. I can't thank you enough for being a part of this. We've experienced a lot together, huh? I wouldn't trade it for anything.
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Today, what I've learned from sharing my voice:
- What you say often comes out imperfectly. It's okay. People will usually still be grateful for your attempt to share. Our imperfection encourages others to be okay with their imperfection. Do you know how many grammar mistakes I have in this blog? haha.
- There is enough room in this universe for ALL of our unique voices! I repeat: There is room for all of us!! What we have to say hasn't "been said already." What we have to say isn't better or worse than what someone else is saying. Our uniqueness is beautiful, and we should be sharing whatever it is we've got.
- It's certainly not necessary to share your voice all of the time. I'm in favor of honoring your ebbs and flows. Sometimes moments call for retreating, creating, renewing. And that's a beautiful thing. There is no shame in this. It can sometimes lead to flourishing creativity.
- Exercise/Movement and Sunshine seriously improve your creative abilities and brain power. (And also Fish Oils, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin B, in my case. These totally help me!)
- Some people will love what you say, others will not. It's not necessary, ever, to please everyone.
- "Finding your voice" is nonsense to me. As if your voice is somewhere else or needs to be crafted or strategized or correlated. Your voice is your voice. Whatever your voice needs or wants to say at any given time - well, that is your voice. "Finding your voice" is when things get so choreographed that your actual voice is no where to be found.
- It's best to delete hateful words on the internet. They can surface anytime anyone shares their voice. I do feel for people who are in that state of spewing, but I'm also in favor of boundaries here. Because hateful words are just poisonous and they are polluting the internet everywhere you look. So I do my part and delete words like that on my site or social media - not just for me, but because of the energy they generate for others. DELETE. GOOD-BYE. (Luckily, this audience has been incredible all of these years. We feel lucky to say that our delete button has been used very, very rarely. Thank you all!!)
- You do not have to be a writer or a professionally trained speaker to share your voice. While it's enriching to read an award winning essay or hear a viral Ted Talk, it's also beautiful to read or hear the words of someone's heart. There's room for all of us.
- If someone does not like what you say, it does not diminish the value of it or the influence it has on others. Stay focused on those you are looking to connect with. Keep sharing! Share even more! Like-minded people will find you.
- As a woman, stepping into your power or sharing your voice threatens some people (both men and women). Perhaps you are a reminder to them that they don't feel empowered. Or perhaps you're a reminder that one might not have control over you. (These are just guesses.) But I've definitely seen that it can be uncomfortable for some to see a woman in the arena. I get it. I know we, as women, have historically been silenced, held down, and not valued. I get it that it can feel like a betrayal or a threat if someone breaks free (to any degree). May we forgive along the way, and continue sharing our voices and truths regardless.
Can you relate to any of these as you've shared your voice out there? I'd love to hear.
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