Finding a voice. Facing a fear.

Posted on by MrsN

There is a story told of the husband in his youth. Whenever family and friends would come round he would do his duty and he would come downstairs and sit with the company, however he would rarely say anything. One day when he was asked why he didn’t say anything his response was “I will speak when I have something important to say”. He’s still similar to a certain degree now, he’s not a fan of small talk, and would much prefer to be doing a job, but he’s getting better, in fact he is making it a goal of his.

I was about to write “I’m the opposite”, but I’m not entirely sure that is true either. When I’m with friends and family I can talk non-stop, although I’m also very happy to sit and listen. With strangers I’m not so good, although that is a strength of the husband. 

I have a very loud voice. Give me a stage and I will happily talk in front of hundreds of people. My job is essentially talking, well that’s the bit I enjoy the most anyway. Give me a blog site and I will share my thoughts. Why then do I need to… Find a voice. Face a fear?

In my last blog post Expecto Patronum I explored why I enjoy worship, and get lost in worship, and I think it’s partly to do with the fact that the words are written. Whenever I speak to a group of people I will have my talk written out. I’ve tried bullet points but they don’t work, I forget my key points. I feel safe knowing I’ve got the entire thing written down in front of me. In my lessons I know my stuff, and essentially have a script in my head. 

If I have the words, I have the confidence, I have a voice.

When I was at school I enjoyed my lessons, I especially enjoyed the discussions, even though I never took part in them myself. I liked to hear what other people wanted to say, I would listen to the variety of views, whilst quietly deciphering what I thought about the topic. Why didn’t I speak? The fear. I was afraid that I would be wrong. I was afraid that I would look like an idiot. I was afraid I would be ridiculed. Therefore it was easier to stay quiet. It may have been easier but I’m not sure it was beneficial.

Don’t worry I realise the irony that I now teach a subject where I actively encourage everyone to speak, and where I will often tell parents that their son/daughter would benefit from participating more. Although I do try to create an environment where they feel they have the strength to do so.

I am still the same today. I observe discussions on fb where people get irate and argumentative, but I never participate. I will talk with friends about frustrations and concerns I have in a variety of different contexts, when I am pretty certain that they share a similar view. Similarly I will share thoughts I have about improvements or new initiatives when I know that they are completely solid, the ones that are still in the process stay in my head. Well, the husband and E tend to be the only ones who hear everything!  However, it is rare that I will actually share the concerns or ideas with those who can make a difference, or offer advice and guidance. Why? The thoughts going through my head tend to be 

“what’s the point?” 

“I’m probably wrong”

 “it’s a stupid idea” 

“other people have probably got more important concerns” 

“what will I say if they question me?”

All of these things actually give a pretty strong message of how much, or little, I value myself, which is a whole other blog!

Over the last 3 months, when I have been stepping back I have really felt challenged about being a voice. Not just when I have a script, but when I might be going against the grain, when people might disagree with me, when I might be wrong. Not just when I’m in a group meeting, with the safety of others who I know are on a similar page, or when I’m being asked for feedback.

This is so daunting for me, it goes against everything I have ever done. I need to think about what it is im afraid of and work out how to address those fears. I need to learn from the husband. Currently my statement seems to be “I will speak UNLESS I have something important to say” and it needs to be “I will speak WHEN I have something important to say”.

I teach about inspirational people who risked their lives to be the voice that needed to be heard. Yet I seem to be unwilling to risk my reputation! Another starting point in the journey.

Just one small step

Posted on by MrsN

Every journey begins with one small step. That’s all. Just          one        small           step. But it’s so much more than that isn’t it? So often it is that initial small step which is the hardest of them all. 

Why is it so difficult?

It may be because you know it is going to be tough, it’s going to be a struggle, there are going to be times when you are going to want to give up. So maybe it is easier to not take the step in the first place.

It may be because you have absolutely no concept of where the journey will take you. You’re comfortable where you are, with what you know, why change it?

It may be because you know it’s going to be lonely or uncomfortable.

These are definitely some of my obstacles, physically and metaphorically. There are many reasons why it is difficult but it is necessary if you are to start or even continue with a journey.

Over the last couple of years I’ve had to make a lot of small steps, which have been part of one mammoth journey. Questioning vocation, changing churches, changing lifestyle, and running just to name a few. Each time it has been that little bit easier to make the initial, necessary small step. Why? Because although I know it isn’t necessarily going to be easy, it’s probably not going to go in the direction I think it might, and it’s probably going to be lonely and uncomfortable at times, it is also going to be rewarding, it is going to help me develop, it is going to give me confidence to take the next step.

It’s easy to stay where you are, in a place where you know and are comfortable. Sometimes those places are necessary but in order to grow and develop and participate in the journey we need to make that initial small step. It may be wobbly, it may be holding on to something else for support, but that initial step… who knows where it will lead? I’ve taken a couple over the last week, and I cannot wait to find out what is in store! I’m sure you’ll hear about it!