Voice Lessons

Dorothy's journal on self-esteem motivated me to write about a topic I have recently been studying. The topic is finding one's voice. I really believe that each of us as human beings has a specific message that we are equipped with to share with the rest of humankind. It may be shared by what we do for a living. It may be shared through our daily interactions with others. But mostly, it is shared through WHO we are.

As we start to clear away the baggage, drama, excess clutter, stresses of life, lies about ourselves, limitations, etc., we slowly evolve into our true selves, and it is through this true self, that the voice comes out and can be shared with those around us.

The problems that we run into are that sometimes we have a hard time sharing our voice, sometimes we cannot find it, and sometimes we don't realize we have a voice at all. I often imagine what the world would look like if people discovered and shared their true voices. I marvel at how easily we would be able to solve social issues, how quickly we would be able to evolve to greater heights of thinking, being, and doing collectively AND individually.  Can you imagine it? Humanity singing in harmony would create a beautiful sound.

What is the first step or lesson then in finding one's voice? I think it is in realizing that you have one. Everyone does. Is yours a special one? Yes, and so is everyone else's. All in their own unique way. Sometimes just understanding that we all have one and that ALL of our voices are equally valuable is enough to help the noise in your head settle so that you can hear YOURS! If you are busy comparing yourself with others, acting like someone you are not for approval sake, or competing for importance in life, there will be too much noise going on in your life and in your head. And you will not be able to recognize your voice. Your voice may even become frustrated with not being listened to and may decide to give up and resign to silence.

Once you are able to quiet the competing voices, your voice can be discovered! Lesson 2 is to listen to it! Let is sing a bit! Practice using it as often as possible! Don't wait for it to get well-trained though. Start sharing it right away! Sing for anyone who is listening. Sing even when there is nobody listening!

The final lesson is to use your voice with the voice of others to create harmony! One clear voice is a beautiful sound, but two or more voices in harmony far surpass the one! Listen to the voices of others and look at how yours might fit with theirs. Learn from others and allow them to learn from you by sharing freely and openly.

Before you know it, you will be singing like a nightingale and making new and wondrous harmonies with other voices--the likes of which have not been heard before! Then you will see how powerful and significant your voice really is and you will find the fulfillment you've been searching for as you share it with others!