Costs of Not Speaking Up
Living a drunken life, not that kind of drunk, but drunk with life and love.
I was always the good girl.
I always said polite things.
I never said anything that would offend someone.
I never wanted to say anything that would be confrontational. That would be rude, right?
I’ve wondered for years if staying silent was healthy. Should I have spoken my words?
Costs of Not Speaking Up
Here’s an email that I received about not speaking up.
“When my youngest daughter was in 2nd grade, I went to her classroom to pick her up for a performance. Her teacher was in a particularly vile mood that day and started pulling things out of my child’s desk and was snapping at her in front of the whole class.
What did I do or say? Absolutely nothing. I stood there in disbelief—my voice stuck in my throat, as she humiliated and bullied my sweet little girl.
I regret that day. I regret that I cowered to the teacher and did not speak up and defend my child—because no child deserves to be embarrassed in front of their peers and treated with such harshness and cruelty.
I was afraid of the teacher’s behavior and stood frozen in place. I can only imagine what my daughter felt.
Oh man, the feelings that are coming up as I address this situation are fierce! I feel like I failed as a mother that day.
To be fair, we all have found ourselves in situations where we wonder if we should say something, or not…
What if you express yourself and share the truth the way you see it—then someone disagrees with you, becomes critical, or thinks poorly of you?
Or worse, what if you question your ideas and beliefs, and think, maybe what you are seeing, thinking or feeling, isn’t accurate. These are forms of self-doubt that will hold you back.
Not speaking your truth the way you see it, can become your prison. Your thoughts and opinions matter.
Your healthy self-expression is how you can make a difference in this crazy, mixed-up world. Your voice is needed now more than ever. It’s time to speak up.”
-By Jeri Taylor https://intrinsicallyawaken.com/
Conclusion
After reading this, what are your thoughts?
Are you going to stay silent or speak?
I’m going to start speaking up.
Because you and I are needed in this world. Our voices are needed. They are needed to create the life we envision — to soothe, to help, to uplift, to right injustices, to create changes, and so much more.
Sending love and the courage to speak your words,
Lynne
