Our Voice

Our voice is unique to us. No one else’s voice sounds quite like ours. There are a whole host of variables that determine the sound of our voice. For example, genetics, the size of our throat, mouth and nose along with our vocal cords, larynx and hormones during puberty. All of these factors affect the tone of our vocalization.  

But finding our unique voice is another way of saying, “How can I get my ideas across to others in a way that I will be heard and understood?” Furthering this thought, “How can I express to others what is important to me?” 

As a writer, I am much more inclined to express my thoughts by writing them. In this way, I see my thoughts and can edit them as needed before publishing my writing via my blog, a book, an email, on FB or Instagram. 

Speaking my thoughts, whether to an audience of one or more, is much harder. Though I may think before I speak, it is not the same as having time to edit before I publish.  

Consequently, almost three years ago, I joined Toastmasters, a public speaking club. I joined because I wanted to learn how to speak comfortably about my book and its various topics; forgiveness, motherhood, marriage, suicide, grief, and growing up. 

By way of Toastmasters, one speech at a time, I am learning to do just that. 

Authenticity

As I’ve stated before, finding our voice is discovering how to get our ideas across to others in a way that we’ll be heard and understood. Finding our voice is also the process of learning how to express to others what is important to us. Consequently, another variable in finding our voice is learning how to be at ease with ourselves in the presence of others. 

I am a recluse at heart. I could easily live as a hermit, off the grid, going to town only for library books and a few groceries. I like being alone and I get along fine with myself. It’s being around others that can put me off balance for reasons unknown to me.

But, presently I am not living as a hermit. Instead, I am an author, blogger, speaker and workshop facilitator. Therefore, I’ve made the commitment to practice being at ease around others as I speak about things that matter to me. Thankfully, when speaking in front of my Toastmasters’ audience, they all have something helpful to say about what I’ve said.

In writing my book, I worked with two editors who were both kind about telling me how to correct my grammar mistakes. They also had a talent for pulling better sentences out of me. 

Likewise, in Toastmasters, every time I stand up to speak, I have a personal evaluator who is kind and objective and tells me how I can hone my speaking skills. 

One of my biggest challenges as a public speaker is connecting with my audience in a way that shows them my authentic, unique and complex self; a hermit at heart, author, blogger, speaker and workshop facilitator. 

Why Bother?

Why bother finding our voice? Our voice as well as our perspective is unique to us. Speaking with ease in a way that others hear and understand us just might help us all connect in ways we’ve never connected before.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those whose hearts need shoring up. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.