Finding my voice

For many of us, including myself, we were raised to be seen and not heard. This message was instilled in us by our parents and teachers. Imagine the power behind the words written 100 times on the blackboard – I will not talk. My first day of school was spent in the corner after I turned around to introduce myself to a new classmate. The teacher informed me that talking was not allowed unless given her permission. Of course she failed to share that rule before my sentencing. And so for many years I obediently followed her directive give to me at five years of age. It was also a common practice when visiting friends and family with my parents that we would sit quietly at their feet for hours while they conversed with one another. The decision I made to remain silent reflects itself in the reservations I have had in speaking in public. Once I realized I was no longer bound by that decision, I find myself grieving the loss of all those years when I withheld my voice. This includes feelings of anger over that loss. I accept this as part of moving on to reclaiming my voice and speaking up for myself. Like any new behavior, it will take time to adopt what feels right for me. How has your silence kept you from sharing with the world who you truly are?