Finding A Voice

"Who stole your voice?" ~ Dr. Robin L. Smith

A series of self-improvement talks is happening over the next 10 days through Hay House World Summit. I have been listening to Dr. Robin this morning talk about the horrible twins of shame and blame. At one point, she asks who stole your voice? Who robbed you of your identity? When was the last time you were your authentic self? She made me think of the summer I was on retreat and on my first day my soul settled in and I heard the beautiful song bird's melody. I breathed deeply and closed my eyes. I had about a minute of solitude when the crow crackled. That sound was less than desirable. I had an epiphany that remains with me. How would I find my voice? Could it be that sometimes I needed to be the songbird and other times the crow? Would I accept both sides of myself without judgment? The voice of self-condemnation is loudest for most people. Dr. Robin invites us to awaken self-compassion at moments like that. Accountability without compassion is dangerous. I can mess up and feel badly but I can also let it go gently and not beat myself up.

The judgment voice is usually not ours--it is someone from our childhood who chipped away at our fragile self-esteem and it still plays out in our current relationships. At times, it might be best to ask whose voice is that in my head right now? We can dig around and discover some truths about ourselves that will help us to live more fully and joyfully.

When was the last time you found your voice in a way that surprised you and others? Have you embraced the songbird and the crow within you? Can you extend compassion to yourself when you need to?

Peace,

Suzanne