Fear of failure or fear of rejection may silence your voice. You may be very timid about expressing yourself and exercising your point of view, but that exertion can both build your confidence and strengthen your expression. Just as your human body becomes stronger with repeated physical activity, the clarity of your voice improves with commitment to exercise.
As you hone your opinions, you gain self-trust, and you better learn how to illustrate concepts and to project ideas to your audience. Then, your voice becomes evermore exacting as a unique "fingerprint" of personal experience and knowledge. Others rely upon you voice and your actions to support various ways and means to accomplish needed actions.
Award-winning author Dennis Merritt Jones speaks of a person's "authentic voice" ...
"What is one's authentic voice? It is the outward creative expression that rises from the authentic self, the sacred being we were (and still are) at the moment of birth; it is that place within us where the infinite intelligence of life has personalized itself, and its sole/soul desire is to push out and express itself in a multitude of unique ways.
"Every human being is a creative vessel through which this happens. The practice is to become aware that this is so and give voice to this divine push, each in our own authentic way."
(Dennis Merritt Jones. "Finding Your Authentic Voice Will Set You Free to Express Who You Really Are." The Huffington Post. November 11, 2013)
What do we need to overcome the problems we face? We need your voice. Only through strong community voices can we birth change that positively affects us all. If you think your voice is too weak or too simple to matter, you are grossly underestimating your abilities. Even worse, unless you express your voice, you, in effect, deny yourself one of greatest American liberties. The history books are full of brave Americans who have defended your rights of expression: many have even given their lives so that you might freely speak and write your opinion.
Your voice is as strong as your will, and, I believe, nothing on earth is as strong as human will supported by Divine guidance. God gave you free will to love others and to help them overcome adversity. He expects you to contribute your resources to overcome evil and to guarantee good in a world filled with strife. Even though the Almighty made you in His image, he created you as "one of a kind" in order that you may seek your real purpose and transcend the state of being simply a lump of indifferent flesh. By relying upon His grace, you have a guarantee that you and your beliefs matter.
All voices can inspire. We often learn great lessons from the voices of young children. Their innocence affords them a beautiful, pure point of view adults may often consider insignificant. One quote from an unknown author states: "A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer." All parents soon discover this uncanny ability in their children. As children grow into adolescence, they become integral parts of community involvement with inspired, truthful voices pointing toward the future.
"The most interesting information comes from children,
for they tell all they know and then stop."
--Mark Twain
If you are an adult, it is imperative to be a good role model for others. How important were your own role models as you grew and found your own personal truths? I will answer the question for you -- they were indispensable, invaluable influences because imitation and variation helped build your character. As an adult with an authentic voice, other people listen to you, and they react to your model behaviors.
I believe it is important to understand that your voice does change as you learn and widen your experiences. You must maintain flexibility and the will to compromise. In fact, you must always be open to changing your mind and supporting the opposition. Remember the old cliché "If you can't beat them, join them." In reference to following reason, this is good advice.
Rigid voices often stagnate and become comical, antiquated "whispers" without substance. To maintain vitality, you must be committed to viewing all sides of an issue, considering the best alternative, and then using your influential voice to join others to the benefits of change.
I think that little voice you hear from within must have an outlet. Your inner voice talks to you about your dreams and emotions: it tells us your truths, offering you guidance and support. The conscience you hear from within also serves as your critic. With it, you achieve the important duty of expressing yourself. We would all love to have a crystal-clear voice, but that really doesn't matter. It is your honest expression in your own words that means the most. Joanna Crosse, media trainer and presentation coach, offers some simple advice to connect with your inner voice:
"To connect with your inner voice, imagine a radio with two dials. One dial is the volume control for your inner voice and the other is for your inner critic. Visualize yourself turning down the volume on your inner critic and turning up the volume for your inner voice. Use this technique when you need to make an important decision or to clarify your thoughts for a difficult conversation."
(Monica Cafferky. "Find your voice and make yourself heard."
www. express.co.uk. May 10, 2010)
Adding your voice to important opinions and causes is actually casting an important "vote" for the support of individual liberty. Do you remember 9/11 when the nation found a strong common voice against terrorism? It does not take a national tragedy for us to express our thoughts, come together, and become a stronger nation. Your voice destroys apathy and builds common ground.
Think just for a moment about how you meet a stranger and immediately search for his or her authentic voice. As you do so, that stranger is also evaluating your expression. This mutual toleration and exploration illustrates a basic human need -- the need for companionship. We need all voices of every possible persuasion to comprise a harmonious, rainbow chorus that serves our communities, our states, and our country -- the UNITED States of America.
If too many people choose silence instead of voice, the outcome is weak and possibly even evil. You can help prevent tragedies and misdeeds by speaking out and doing what you know is right. Never let anyone tell you your opinion doesn't count.
If too many people choose silence instead of voice, the outcome is weak and possibly even evil. You can help prevent tragedies and misdeeds by speaking out and doing what you know is right. Never let anyone tell you your opinion doesn't count.
Were you there?
By Mason ProffitYou said something should be done
The way your slaves were shot and hung
You said that all men should be free
Were you there at Wounded Knee?
You were living in ‘42
You cried when Hitler killed the Jews
You said that no race should have to die
Were you there at My Lai?
Were you there when they called my country down?
Did you see her when she finally hit the ground?
Could you feel the tears she shed?
Were you there when Jesus bled?
Come all ye youth it’s time to take a stand
You have salvation in your hand
We need your words and more we need your minds
We need you straight not stoned and blind
Were you there when we walked across the land?
Was that you with a rifle in your hand?
Don’t try to run don’t try to hide
Were you there when freedom died?
Were you there when they called my country down?
Did you see her when she finally hit the ground?
Could you feel the tears she shed?
Were you there when Jesus bled?
Were you there to count the dead?
Were you there?
Click this site for a YouTube video of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2kCq-nbpqY&list=PLJOXEqP4-njR9pkrOsliJmxmqpSRXjNYJ&index=2
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