One of the most pervasive myths of personal development and expression is to FIND YOUR VOICE. This idea has become entrenched in the modern day version of the hero’s journey. What appears to be a magical moment of being able to slay the dragon during the final act is actually a cautionary tale of someone whom had refused the call to action for too long, believing she wasn’t worthy, only to discover, with her life at stake, that her powers laid dormant inside of her all along.
She didn’t have to find her voice. She had to USE her voice. In using our voices we find that what we believed had to be found was just our own way of justifying our fear. All great things are not found. They are developed. Including ourselves and how we wish to be of service.
The more you use your voice, the more you develop your voice. And the more you develop your voice, the more you cultivate the courage “to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you” (Elizabeth Gilbert). It turns out that finding your voice, like finding your soulmate, actually has nothing to do with finding and everything to do with creating, specifically creative living: “living a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear” (Elizabeth Gilbert). The curiosity to pursue “something that may not work, simply because it’s a generous thing to do” (Seth Godin). What could be more generous than courageously embracing the call to action to put yourself on the hook and take 100% responsibility for the circumstances in your life and supporting others to take full responsibility of theirs?
This is a developmental process that has everything to do with picking yourself 9 times out of 10, and having compassion for yourself during those times when doubt prevailed and you couldn’t bear to pick yourself.
Now that you know the truth about your voice, the opportunity is yours to choose to use it regularly.
Contrary to what cinema has led us to believe, the most impressive and admirable form of action is using your voice the other 99.9% of the time–when your life and the lives of others are not at stake.
