Confidently Express Your Authentic Voice

This week's topic is one that I'm sure most of us struggle with. I know I do!

 

I have been known to shy away and grow silent because I have been told that I am a lot, that I am different, and that I talk too much. The older I get the more silent I become. I have noticed that I go from one extreme to the other, never finding my perfectly balanced rhythm between listening and speaking. The more I try to control who I am or how I am, the worse it becomes. I have challenged myself to lean into my authentic voice more, to not be afraid to make my voice heard, and to engage in conversations in a way that leaves space for everyone's voice to be heard, not just my own. 

 

I am not sure how or why it has become normal and acceptable for people to tear down one another for their individuality. As a Christian, this is especially bothersome to me when I know that we are to love one another, but yet, even we sometimes fail to do this without judgment. How we treat others could ultimately change the course of how they are as a person. Our actions can have dire consequences for someone else, whether we intended for them to or not. 

 

While I am a huge advocate for confidently expressing your authentic voice, I am also a firm believer in leading in love and kindness. What you put out into the world is a direct reflection of who you are as a human being. What mark are you wanting to make?

 

Has someone left their mark on you to a point where you have become someone who hides in the background, afraid to speak or be known? Do you lack confidence to make new connections or hope to find new friends? Let me be the one to apologize to you for how you've been mistreated in the past. I'm so very sorry that someone hurt you. I know how hard it is to let others in after being hurt. I've been there too. Please don't let the actions of one person ruin your chance at connecting with others. 

 

When it comes to confidently expressing your authentic voice, here are a few things you do to try to get back into it:

1. Share a post on social media (if you are on social media) with a quote or something that speaks to you that you've recently come across. Could be a bible verse, a quote, or even a song.
2. Introduce yourself to someone new this week, share one fact about you that isn't obvious but also isn't deeply personal.
3. Wear an article of clothing that is your favorite color and take a photo of yourself. If you choose to share it, that is entirely up to you, but I would encourage you to share it with someone. 
4. When you picture yourself confident, what qualities do you have that make you more confident than you are now and what can you do to start incorporating those qualities now to work towards becoming that version of you? Write about it in your journal.

 

Confidence is something that so many people struggle with, so please know you aren't alone in this struggle. This week on my podcast, Julie shared with us that habits can give you confidence. I have been putting this advice into practice by changing my daily habits and over time, I am noticing a shift happening within. The things I used to struggle to do, I now can do with ease. Habits help us by instilling in us a repetitive motion. The more you do it, the more your muscle memory will kick in, thus resulting in more confidence.

 

May you confidently go forth from this day forward expressing who you are at your most authentic self. It's the best version of you there is.

With Grace, Shonda Ramsey