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...
(Disclaimer: By law, it is the requirement of a registered health professional to provide a disclaimer for activities or information disseminated publicly to assist in the ethical, safe and appropriate use of what may be deemed as advice. The contents of this blog are written with the intention of being read as an informal personal statement of reflections and observations by the author, Rochelle Masters. The contents herewith are not written as definitive statements or prescribed instruction for your personal circumstance and no guarantee can be given that the reflections are free from error or omission. This blog is not meant to treat mental illness. The diagnosis and treatment of mental illness requires the specific attention of a physician or other properly qualified mental health professional engaged to treat your personal circumstance. If you are seeking diagnosis or treatment of a mental illness, you should contact and consult with a physician or mental health professional. The information in this blog is NOT a substitute for proper diagnosis, treatment or the provision of advice by an appropriate health professional in the appropriate treatment setting.
Masters Psychology & Co., all employees and agents shall accept no liability for any act or omission occurring as a result of reliance on the information on this website and for any consequences of any such act or omission. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please contact LIFELINE on 13 11 14 (Open 24 hours) or contact admin@masterspsychology.com.au for more information).
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
