Your Voice

 

Your voice 

In this post, I want to explore how we use our voices. I’m not talking about fine arts (i.e., creative arts such as paintings, drawings, photography, dance, or other forms of physical expression), but the spoken word.*  

How do you use your voice?

Loaded question, I know, but what I mean by this is how do you address pressing concerns when they come your way, impact your way of life or threaten bodily harm, both mental and physical? How do you address pleasant concerns that bring joy to your life and are uplifting and inspiring? 

Do you let your voice be heard by sharing your thoughts (voice) on social media, do you shout out loud, do you place a call to discuss, or do you write a letter, poem or book? Do you write a song, story, or lyric to speak your approval or dissent? Do you sing out loud to your heart’s content about love or issues that have broken your heart? Or do you sing of social issues, church hymns, or nursery rhymes?

How do you use your voice?

Do you use it for good or evil? Does the brain engage the tongue to speak truth or tell falsehoods and exaggerations? Are you afraid to use your voice outside the quiet setting of your home? Does the thought of speaking out cause panic to rise and your palms to sweat? Or do you put pen to paper and let your voice speak through words.

I think we all face the issue of either speaking out or remaining quiet, especially today. I believe we would all like to think we still have the option of speaking out, not being “silenced.” It’s a crippling condition to think we might be silenced if we speak out. It hems us in and stifles our voices. I wrote a poem about this and link it here for context. The Bible tells of God wanting us to make a joyful noise unto him. Be that in song, verse, or voice—you decide. Nonetheless, to speak out often is what I think this bible reference is telling us.

How do you use your voice?

What do you do when the need to confront is strong? To confront is not necessarily to engage in an argument, but to engage in confrontation is to bring about conflict. Many get this concept wrong because of the negative connotation the word “confront” imparts. The definition I’m speaking of is to bring face-to-face or meet to discuss. An encounter, if you will. Using your voice this way, I think, can bring about awareness, knowledge, and a greater appreciation of the unknown.

How do you use your voice?

Simply. To speak out. As candidly, delightfully, and appropriately as possible. However you choose to use it, I hope it’s done respectfully and consciously. I hope it’s used to enlighten and bring about a broader sense of who you are, which can uplift others. That’s how I’d like to use my voice.

How about you?

~DaMarie

Photo Courtesy of Fa Barboza

*Disclaimer: This pertains to those who have the ability to speak any language. It does not in any way reflect or disparage those who are speech impaired. They, too, have a voice.