She found her voice

She found her voice, in everything but words...

Everyone I have ever loved and drawn close to has had a distinctive voice. 
That is, they hold a capacity to bring expression to who they are using language masterfully articulated to capture my attention, admiration, humour and ultimately, my heart.

One of my earliest memories is of the day ‘I lost my voice’.  I was 5 years old and having been primed to sing in front of a large audience, I took the stage to perform only to discover my voice didn’t sing out like I had rehearsed.  I was so incredibly disappointed with myself and humiliated.  From that day, for the next 25 years, I feared speaking out or performing and became cumbersome and opaque in articulating and expressing who I really was.

“Voice is our human spirit, full of hope and intelligence, resilient by nature, and boundless in its potential to serve the common good....” (Covey, 2006).  It represents our unique personal significance which seeks to be revealed in life, love, learning and legacy (our spiritual contribution and meaning).

As Covey writes, “Each of us harbour a deep yearning to find our voice – the meeting of our Talents (natural gifts and strengths); Passion (things which naturally energise, excite, motivate and inspire us); Need (what the world needs and is willing to pay us for); and Conscience (that still small voice within that assures us of what is right and prompts us into action)".  These concepts are similar to those studied in Positive Psychology, when explaining strengths, motivation, meaning, and morality.

On finding my voice

For me, I found my voice in losing it.  I've been learning the powerful art of listening. Taking a vacation from language provides for an awareness that has spoken to who I am and how I engage with the world and those around me.  In this void, I have gained some of the most profound wisdom with everything but words.  The greatest impact has been in my work at Masters Psychology, as a Clinical Psychologist. Ideas dance across minds, questions and answers are found in a voice that at times is seldom heard.  When words go away, along with the ideas they speak to, we are left staring at our humanity.  We gain dynamic and captivating insight into the real nature of communication, connection and wholeness.

Today, as I hit a significant milestone, I’ve decided to explore this writing space and see where it takes me as I continue to learn and grow.

You are welcome to join!  I will only be sharing what I’ve learned from you...

Rochelle Masters

References

Covey, S. R. (2006). The 8th Habit Personal Workbook: Strategies to Take You from Effectiveness to Greatness. Free Press.

http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/sulynn/2007032757

http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/sherri-fisher/20070305128

http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/margaret-greenberg/2007011435

http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/aren-cohen/20070512239