You have unique gifts and opinions and it’s important for the world to hear your voice. But without encouragement, it can be intimidating to stand out and speak up. Find out what you can do to ensure that you express your potential and make your unique mark in the world. (Estimated reading time: 5 minutes)
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
— Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou poems, memoirs and work as a civil rights activist left an indelible mark in the lives and hearts of many. She had a graceful yet fierce approach towards life, which she eloquently expressed through her words.
However, there was a time during her childhood when she was a mute for almost five years because she believed that she was responsible for the death of a man who sexually abused her.
Although he was killed by her uncles, she was convinced that it was her voice that killed him, and she made a decision to never speak again because she didn’t want to hurt anyone else with her words.
It was during that period of silence that her love for books and literature and her ability to observe her surroundings blossomed. It influenced her to finally break her silence when she was around 13.
Later on in her life, she amplified her voice through numerous artistic outlets such as performing, singing, acting, producing and eventually writing, which she is most well known for.
On reflecting on those mute years, Maya said that it was an addictive behavior because it was so much easier to not say things that reveal to people what you really feel. It’s more convenient to go with the flow rather than disturb the status quo.
Many of us can relate to the temptation, that Maya spoke of, to not speak our truth because of the fear of not fitting into society. As a result, the world does not get to hear your voice.
Without encouragement, it can be intimidating to stand out and speak up. This is especially true if we think we lack the influence and platform to create impact. Without the traditional forms of power, we feel incapable of seeing ourselves as a significant player in the world arena.
But the truth is that you don’t have to be a celebrity, politician or a CEO to relay your thoughts, ideas and opinions with the world. You can be influential on a smaller scale – within the sphere of your own workplace, family and community. You’ll find plenty of people in these circles who would be glad to hear your voice.
You can tap into your love for baking to make brownies every Sunday for your neighbors. If you have passion for saving animals, you could volunteer at a local animal shelter. Love to sing? Share your recordings on YouTube. If you have strong opinions about a particular global issue, share it on a blog.
There’s no shortage of the ways by which we can express ourselves in today’s world. The Internet has given us an extensive global stage on which we can showcase our best. There are blogs, videos and articles connected to virtually every field that exists.
The only thing that can sabotage our self-expression in the world is ourselves. Being daringly different and bold in a sea of sameness requires courage and a strong belief in our convictions.
It’s easier to follow the crowd and let others dictate our path, but I believe that we can overcome this tendency by appreciating and owning our gifts.
Here are five valid reasons why I believe that it’s important for the world to hear your voice:
1. You’re a unique expression of the Universe: Each and every one of us is a unique expression of the universal force. There will never be another living organism with your specific configuration of DNA and all the myriad of characteristics, temperaments and talents that stem from it. Once we understand the enormity of this it behooves us to express all the potential that lies within us. Our genetic heritage requires a legacy that we can only actualize through our works and deeds.
2. You have a purpose: Nothing in this world exists without a purpose, including us. The probability of you being born is one in 400 trillion, and if you made it, you can bet that there’s a pretty good reason for your being here. On a fundamental level, we’ve all come to love and serve through our life purpose. Our specific purpose is revealed through our gifts and the interests, which we’re naturally drawn towards. As author Elizabeth Gilbert says, “If you don’t have an obvious passion, follow your curiosity.”
3. Self-expression is a need: Self-expression is not a frivolous ‘want’ but a spiritual necessity. According to researcher and writer Brene Brown, unused creativity is not benign – it metastasizes into grief, rage, shame, sorrow and judgment. Suppressing our voice, which stems from our creative center, is harmful for us, and it’s essential that we find healthy outlets for it. If your work doesn’t allow you to express yourself sufficiently, seek activities outside the office that allow you to do so. Use your weekends or time after work to engage in other pursuits that you’re passionate about.
4. You can’t let your insecurities and haters run the show: There’s always a possibility that we’ll face opposition from both within us and outside of us. The critical entity inside us can make us feel vulnerable and believe that we aren’t good enough, if we leave it unchecked. In addition to this, we could encounter people along the way who belittle us and try to undermine our efforts. When you make the decision to act on what feels right for you, despite what others say, you essentially take control of your life and become the master of your own destiny.
5. The world can greatly benefit from your contributions: Imagine if Einstein, J. K Rowling, Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali all decided that what they had to say was not going to have a lasting impact on others. Just think of all the wonderful discoveries, inventions and social changes that we would have missed out on if luminaries like these individuals withdrew from their soul missions. Like all of these individuals, we too have the capacity to benefit humanity if we believe in ourselves.
Whether it’s your knack for number crunching, your compassion for the needy, or your enchanting dancing skills, you can use your passion to leave an incredible legacy that people will thank you for long after you’re gone.
The mic and the spotlight await you on the grand stage of life. All you need to do is to overcome your stage fright and step onto the stage. Give yourself the permission to shine your light as you allow people to witness the real (and maybe quirky) talented person that you are – and hear your voice.
All my best on your journey,
Seline
Question for you: What steps are you going to take to ensure that your voice is heard and that you’re tapping into your gifts?
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As someone who has always struggled with feeling unappreciated and ignored by family and as someone with only 1-2 good close friends in my life I know what its like to feel alone and feel like no one is listening. This was a powerful post. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us!
I’m so sorry to hear that Angie. I hope this post has given you the inspiration to overcome your past conditioning and see yourself in a healthier light. Don’t give up!