To me, sharing your voice is about allowing others to see the wisdom, understanding, stories, questions, and the beauty of who you are. A less-filtered you than you might be used to showing at work, in public, or among family and friends. This takes some courage and an intention to live with freedom in who you are, believing that you DO have something great to offer in the world.
Voice can be shared in many ways, such as: Answering honestly when you're asked 'how are you'; sharing an opinion that is different than the group of people you're in conversation with; wearing colours that you feel good in, regardless of what the 'best' shades are for you; writing a note to tell someone you miss them; speaking up about an unfair policy in your workplace. Voice is about expressing your song in the world, your unique sense of what life is, in all its mystery, amazingness and sorrow.
I invite your voice to be bold in its coming forth.
This beautiful poem by Sally Atkins speaks to me of how extending your voice can be quiet and yet powerful in its subtle existence. I hope this encourages you to honour the stories alive in you, the voice that is you, your beauty.
The Imperative of Song
You who have only heard
The sound of tension
From your throat,
Know that the ancient ones
Mapped their land by song.
To sing is to get somewhere;
Know that song
is your incarnation,
Whether an aria
A prayer
Or a single word.
To speak from the inside out
Is to witness
To your own humanity.
Listen,
The heartbeat
Of an ancient beast
Moves through you.
You can only listen
And love it,
And weep,
The sound
Of your own voice
Singing. -Sally Atkins