“It’s important to learn to listen to ourselves. Most of us learn to tune ourselves out. Tuning in again takes practice; we have to encourage ourselves to speak up. If we’ve stopped listening to our own voice for a long time, that voice may be very faint; it may have half given up.” ~ How to Be Your Own Best Friend by Newman and Berkowitz
Hiding Your Voice
As women, we tend to talk a lot, but not speak up enough. We feel as though we don’t have as much right to be taken seriously. Growing up, I was taught to give attention to what others wanted us to say, but never encouraged to value my own voice.
During my own marriage, I tended to put some of my own desires in the background in an effort to keep the peace. I was not as confident in their importance as I should have been.
Speaking Up
Through this divorce journey one of the best lessons I have learned is the importance of being bold enough to speak out when I need to. We don’t need to go through life being unkind, arrogant and pushy. But we should be confident that our thoughts and ideas have as much credence as anyone else’s.
There is give and take in all conversations, but as women on the road to a better, brighter life, let’s all listen to ourselves and speak up when we should.
We have valuable lessons to pass on. We have helpful insights to share. We’ve been given a voice … now let’s use it for our own good and the good of others.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” ~
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
