While writing comes naturally, it wasn’t always easy for me to feel confident in what needed to be said. Oftentimes, when I was younger, if I spoke up in conversation, unless my words were directly in line with what others were talking about, I would get strange looks. I realize now that my reciprocal communication skills were lacking. I also realize part of the reason that was is because I didn’t feel like I had much of a voice, and so I often used it inappropriately and spoke out of turn. I had no awareness and control over what I wanted to say. It was just noise that was coming out of me. I wasn’t contributing all that much to conversation.
Even when there was a lot within me that I wanted to say, I didn’t have a strong foundation on which to stand. My thoughts were simply that. I had no idea where they came from so that I may justify them when questioned. That, or I didn’t have the confidence to explain myself completely and so much was left out. There was also the fear of rejection. And so, it was difficult for me to share who I was and all I believed in. It was difficult to share my experiences.
That is no longer the case. I no longer have a fear of rejection. I’ve remembered the only perspective that matters is the truth. As long as the truth is what is being shared, I have no reason to fear speaking up. It’s simple to say, it’s much harder to embody, but the truth is the only foundation that will withstand any criticism and fear-based rhetoric. The truth of the situation, and ultimately of who I am, is the only armor that I need. The truth is the foundation of my voice, what gives me the power to share what I need to say, when I need to say it. And with my voice, I can share my knowledge and wisdom and contribute to our greater experience. I can contribute to this conversation called life.
These ideas are an introduction, but what it comes down to is this: there is nothing that will ever defeat the truth. When the truth is exposed, there’s no room for confusion, there’s no need to argue. And at the point where arguments cease, true understanding can begin.
