I loved writing as a kid. Stories, poems, songs – you name it. I loved the idea that my voice could do things; make things happen, all on its own. It could break into a song, never sung before; or write out a tale never told. It could SHOUT AT THE TREES!, and make it shake out all its birds.
When I was little, I thought my voice could move mountains; and over the years, I learned that in many ways – it could. It could make someone happy, or sad. It could change how I felt, based on something I’d said. It could make something happen, or never take place.
I saw that our voices can do things, will change things, and what they say counts. I’m here because our voices matter.
Voices can help things grow, or feel love. They can protect, and keep others – and ourselves – safe from harm. They can sing out, make music and inspire life to dance. A voice can crack the cement of someone’s stale heart. A voice can also shock, guide or inspire someone just enought, that they shake out their birds…. giving flight to all their colorful goodies within.
The power of a voice (written or otherwise) can change things, and how life transpire. So that’s why I’m here, speaking (and writing) with you now.
I will always speak authentically, from a place of personal knowing.
I can only know my own journey, and will only ever speak to that. I know that while my own life may have been rough and tumbley, yours may have been as well. Perhaps better, or maybe even worse. But in either case: I hope you fared well. And I hope something I say helps.
Sometimes I falter, I mess up, and want to take something back.
Unfortunately, no matter which way I approach it, that history’s been written, on some level, some stage; cast out into time, or onto some scratch of paper.
…In light of being honest, there were too many times I wish I’d written better on someone’s heart…And I promise to do my best to write well upon yours.
I promise to do my best – in general, and in here.
I will do by best to always stay true to myself (the Self I know best at the time), but am sorry in advance if that offends. Truly. It never was – and will never be – my intention to harm anyone or anything. But unfortunately we all do, sometimes and in some ways, especially as we begin speaking our truths. So shine on, dear lights, and let your voice be heard no matter what the cost! I promise to do the same.
I promise to speak up for myself, and share what I know.
…Which again, is only my own story: my life, and my telling. I’ll share how it happened to, and for, me. Because otherwise, I’d be telling someone else’s story; and what a tragedy. That’s their story to share. And I hope they sing it someday. And I hope you do too.
I hope you find a way to share what you know, and how it felt. Some way that feels real, and true… be it platform, pulpit or page. I bet there’s some spectacular magic inside you: something sacred to share. I bet you have pretty amazing birds in you.
So I promise these things, because if we never speak up, our unique voices (the ones that tell the tales of our lives, our imagination, and our dreams), become lost to the pages of time. And again, what a tragedy.
Because voices do things. They change things. They count. So I better speak up, sing loudly, and shout!! Give rise to the feathers, and bring the forest to life. My very own cacophony of birds, making their – and thus my – colorful presence known to the world.