By Xina Sy
The Communications Chick
"Finding our most authentic voice may not be easy, but it is necessary for our overall success!"
Growing up, I was an inquisitive, talkative-type; always asking questions & inquiring into the lives of everyone around me. I wanted, no needed, to know & understand everything around me. I questioned everything and anyone that would listen. Grown-ups were always "hushing" me & teachers were constantly telling my parents, "She's a great student, but she's always talkin'!" Even today, I am known for striking up deep, probing conversations with strangers while standing in the line at Walmart. I will talk to anybody about just about anything. It matters not the topic since I pride myself in knowing a little about everything (HA!). I love words & have grown to enjoy the sound of my own voice. So, needless to say, helping others find their own voice has become both my muse & my profession.
Although I know that communication comes very easily for me, I have come to understand that this is not always the case for everyone. To find our voice, I mean our most authentic voice, we have to be willing to quiet everyone else's. To fully allow ourselves the freedom of real expression we have to quiet the noisy chatter of this world & search within ourselves for what is truly our own, unique & individual voice. When we decide to stop being a copy-cat of someone else, then & only then, can our true selves manifest & give expression to the world. This has to be uncovered; not manufactured.
"Words are the voice of the heart." ~Confucius
Now, in our society, there are so many various forms of expression, through so many different & diverse mediums. The internet has birthed a whole new level of freedom of expression & has put that power into the hands of the masses. Like never before, folks can speak their minds, share their stories, & boldly declare their opinions; likes & dislikes, for all the world to hear. And, although we live in the information age & the age of technology, this has not guaranteed the quality of the messages that we receive. As visionaries & light workers, we have a responsibility to bring messages of hope to a world that is struggling to find peace & clarity, so we must learn to speak from our hearts with a message that heals & serves to change lives.
How do we find our voice? We must actively search for it. We may not even like what we find at first, but by embracing it, we will position ourselves to occupy the unique purpose in which we were created for. So, here are just a few questions that might assist you on your path to unveiling your most authentic voice:
- As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? We sometimes forget the earliest cues to our own voice as we get so caught up in the voices of those around us. Our, then small, tiny voice gets drowned out by the expectations of our parents, our peers, & those we look up to. So, getting back n touch with our earliest memories of our own desires is a great place to start.
- If you had all the time & money in the world...what would you do? We often believe that a lack of resources is what's holding us back, when in all actuality, time & money have very little to do with it all. Usually we are only held back by the fear of falling short of our own self-imposed expectations. Letting go of a fear of failure or a fear of success is a step in the right direction of finding your most authentic self-expression.
- What change would you like to see in the world? Where do you feel you could make the most difference in society? Who do feel called to reach? Knowing our calling is an important piece in the foundation of our visions. You may not be the one to lead the change, but your voice may play a significant role in how change begins on a local, national, & even global level.
- What platform do you already have for self-expression? No need to start over...you can begin to build from where you are right now! Do you write? Do you speak? Would you like to start a company or org that reaches people & changes lives? Expand your vision & allow for new possibilities to emerge.
Finding our voice has to be an intentional task; derived from the desire to express in a conscious & deliberate way for the purpose of having a real impact on other's lives. Playing small, staying quiet, imitating the voices of others deters not only our own growth, but it diminishes the message that we are meant to share with those we are called to serve. Understanding the power of both the written & spoke word is the very first step toward finding the freedom to fully make a difference with our voices! May you find your own voice & sing the message that is divinely & uniquely...yours. <3
Need Help? Contact me at emergingnow@gmail.com or more directly at 404.907.0624
