“Those who expect to reap the blessings of liberty must undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” -Thomas Paine
The world is full of noise.
I find it on Facebook, news sites, on TV and blogs.
In such a noisy world, it’s easy to feel your voice – one voice of millions – doesn’t matter.
I’ve felt that way before. I’ve thought: “Well, I’m just one person. I can’t be expected to fix a problem that big.”
There are moments when I forget the power of my voice. This post is as much a reminder to me as it is a request for you. Will you use your voice, even when the world seems too noisy to hear it?
Maybe you’re not sure what “use your voice” means, or how to do it. Below are some tips to help you find your voice – it’s easy to get caught up in the noise and feel lost. Once you find it, it’s so important to use it, to protect it.
The good news is it’s easier to do than you may think.
1. Seek solitude.
Watching the news networks all day long will make you crazy. It will make you feel helpless against something bigger than one person can fix.
Take the pressure off. The only thing you need to worry about is keeping your voice. If you can do that, the world will be a better place. Find your voice by unplugging from distraction.
Take a moment be still and listen to your heart.
2. Actions speak louder than words.
Having a voice is more than words. If you feel strongly about an issue, find out how you can help and do something.
Maybe you can’t attend protests with your babies, but can you feed a family that does? Can you volunteer to share information? Donate some money? These are small sounds that can change the world. Through your actions, the voice of one can be heard and make a difference.
3. Protect your voice.
You’ve probably heard – Wisconsin is a state in turmoil right now. I’m not going to use this space to promote my anti union busting views (see, I was being sneaky there). Instead, I want to encourage you, Republicans, Democrats, conservatives and liberals alike – protect your voice with information.
Don’t blindly believe what you hear on a liberal radio program. Don’t just regurgitate every fact from Fox News. Find out for yourself.
It’s something I need to remember as the frustration in Wisconsin grows. Protect yourself from lies. Use information to build a strong foundation for your voice.
4. Get rid of apathy.
I am blessed to live a simple life, but I have to stay active in order to keep it that way. We all do. Freedom must be demanded.
While some go into debt, you can use your voice against consumerism. You can end impulse shopping today.
While the world eats food full of pesticides, you can plant an organic garden in your own backyard. Start planning – spring is almost here.
While your neighbor is never home for family meals, you can clear your schedule. You can make that time mean something.
It may seem small, but I’ve witnessed the power of one voice. I’ve seen the power of one person coming forward, then another, then one hundred thousand. It all started with one.
Find your own voice, use it, make it strong.
Let it rise in a world full of noise to say, “This is what I believe.”
Growing stronger:
“This is what I will do.”
Please share this post. Thank you!
Photo by Mael*
{ 17 comments }
Melissa, I love this post! The noise out there is so distracting. I often find it hard to focus on what is really important. Two of the easiest actions for me lately have been 1) turn off the t.v.! and 2) commit to making sure one family meal happens each day. These have been wonderful small steps that have created space for living more consciously and in tune with what I say I want in my life.
Thanks for connecting, Sally!
I find it is so easy to get distracted and forget what matters in the midst of noise. I love your easy actions that create space … tuning into ourselves is so important.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Melissa
We talked about this last night too….I removed myself from all of the groups on facebook that are promoting a political agenda, even if I do agree with them. It was just too much to look at everytime I skimmed the news feed. That doesn’t mean I don’t still feel that way or support that cause…I just can’t deal with that noise everytime I look at facebook. It was making facebook a bad place. And don’t be afraid to hide someone for a while either!
I know what you mean about hiding people. We can choose how much negativity we see.
Great to see you last week. Hope we can do it again this week!
Melissa
I read this post and was inspired to brainstorm for tomorrow’s post on my blog- an update on what I’ve done to do exactly what you were talking about. I took a 30-day No Shopping Challenge and am currently on day 18. I failed before- I didn’t fill my life with fun, exciting things in lieu of shopping I had set myself up to fail by focusing on depriving myself. I shifted my thinking and I’m ENJOYING the process now.
I found that now I’ve made a conscious effort to not shop (for house items, clothes, gadgets, books…anything but FOOD) I’ve freed up my budget for more meaningful food purchases (I spend a little bit more, but enjoy shopping at the local, organic grocer up the street instead of a big-box store), and to make more vested decisions about what I will buy when the challenge is over. I have a shopping PLAN instead of going out and buying whatever “looks cute.” What I will buy is more meaningful since it’s been put off for 30 days and I’m sure I want it.
It has also freed up my time- I planned a fun party for St. Patty’s Day last night that everyone enjoyed! I spent $30 on a bottle of Baileys and snacks from the local grocer (like homemade hummus!) and made irish coffees and we were up til 2 am! I spent $30 on food but none of the commerical “party” items we think we need to have- decorations, glassware, etc. It was a mish-mash of people and what they could bring and it was great!
I have also dedicated that little bit of extra time to focus on things I care about, like raising money and keeping awareness up about the disaster in Japan, and starting a fundraiser to help the Pug Rescue that saved my pug Ralph (I’ve gotten donations for both and it makes me so grateful). I am living my beliefs each day in all the ways I can- in my thoughts, words and ACTION and I hope I’m inspiring others to do the same.
It is sad to think people set up walls for themselves or quiet their voice. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Someone thinks you’re nuts for going shoe-less on April 5th to make a statement about poverty or gets envious that you’re taking time to start a garden or volunteer or give up soda for your health because they “simply couldn’t do that” for whatever reason?
Poppycock. Do it anyway!
I’m so glad to find another blogger who is willing to turn up the amplifier to rock out to their own tune!
Hi Ruby,
First, wow! I love your energy and ideas. I’ll definitely check out your blog. I especially loved your St. Patty’s Day party – I really miss parties with friends, which seemed to become less and less frequent as the recession became worse. You reminded me I don’t have to spend a fortune to host a fun party.
Do it anyway – that’s my new motto for the week.
Take care,
Melissa
Lovely. I like the part about taking action, and getting rid of apathy. Well, all of it really. But I realized just b/c I live in NYC doesn’t mean I can’t grow something. I ended up getting an aero-garden and having some fresh cherry tomatoes and lettuce has been really invigorating.
I never cared much about what I ate, as I get a little older, I see choosing health as freedom to choose and be whoever I want to be.
Yum, fresh garden foods sound sooo wonderful right now. An aero-garden might be a fun project for us next winter.
Thanks for stopping by, Susan!
Let me just say that I somehow found your website, not sure how, but for everything there is a reason, so I am glad I stumbled on it. I love it! You are a minimalist, but one I can relate to. No I can’t live with only a 100 things – I live in Alberta, Canada and just to survive winter here probably requires a gazillion things and a car; your posts are practical, they somehow touch the inner part of me that believes that minimalism is the path to happiness and that it is a journey. Financial freedom specifically is something I really believe in and I am almost there. I will most definitely keep reading.
Hi Raina,
Thanks for connecting with me here. Living is Wisconsin, I know exactly what you mean about needing a car and needing items that last through many seasons. We definitely don’t live with 100 things or less! I recently saw a comment that said, “Living with under 100 things as an adult man with no wife or kids isn’t minimalist. That’s called being a bachelor.” That made me smile.
Glad to hear you are almost financially free! Be well,
Melissa
A couple months ago, for my 50th birthday, my daughter convinced me to start a blog — speak my voice — because she believed I have a unique message that should be heard. I had never even read a blog before that — but I’ve read MANY since then!
I work hard to write something each week that’s really worth taking the time to read and I’ve settled on a few bloggers whose message I feel that way about to follow. You are one. Thank you, Melissa!
PS If you have a chance I hope you’ll check out my site too — and leave me a comment
Very cool! Good for your daughter for seeing your potential. I checked out your blog and it looks really amazing. I love how you are redefining yourself – something that can be done at any age.
Thanks for connecting with me and be well!
Melissa
I believe this is so important. We need to find our own voice, but it is sometimes difficult to hear through all the noise we surround ourselves with. Take some time to step away from it all, figuratively or literally, and hear what you really think about things.
Great post Melissa!
Bernice
Moms need a timeout too!
I’m glad it resonated with you, Bernice! Thanks for stopping by.
Melissa
“This is what I believe.” “This is what I will do.”
These are two great, powerful statements. Thanks for those Melissa.
I think we’re all much better at distracting ourselves than we are at focusing. Nothing feels better than having the quiet to get to that place where we know where we are headed, and not where we are being blown by the latest thing we read, or TV ad we watched.
I haven’t deliberately watched the TV news probably ever. As a kid I hated the news. When my own kids were little I didn’t want them to see or hear the news so neither my husband or I watched it when the kids were awake. I prefer the NPR news. I only listen to it if I am in the car by myself. If I don’t catch NPR those around me tell me the news I need to know anyway.
Good article Melissa. Thanks for the mention of my blog. I’d be more than happy to help your readers with their gardening questions.
Great, Alison! My hubby has big plans for our gardens this year. I’ll be sure he checks out your blog for tips. He just ordered four blueberry bushes last night.
Have a great week.
You inspired me to write my own take on “finding your authentic voice” — a timely subject! thanks!!
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