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What I’ll Tell Sweet E: Find Your Voice

When I learned to read, you could pretty much find me with a book in my hands from there on out.  Especially if that book had been written by Dr. Seuss.  I was entranced by his lyrical use of seemingly normal words and by his imagination when creating others.

Find Your Voice

It’s with his words that I will counsel you, my sweet E.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. ~ Dr. Seuss

Not only was he a joy to read, but I cut my writing teeth on Dr. Seuss; the lessons he taught me about finding my voice still holds true today.  His insight and wisdom, delivered with ease, is as fresh today as it was then.

Be who you are.  To have a unique voice, in any venue, can be terrifying.  We fear what others might think of us if we say or think the things that are truly in our hearts, yet may be outside the norm of what others are saying or thinking.  Once it’s out of our mouths, there we stand, naked for the entire world to hear.

Say it anyway.

Say what you feel. We all want to be liked by our peers, don’t we.  The easy thing to do is to get in line, to be the same, to blend in and not stand out.  It’s easy, but it’s not very helpful to anyone, especially you.

Consider this: Would you rather make decisions based on your fear of rejection, or would you rather be bold enough to make decisions based on your understanding and your perspective of the world around you, even if some might disagree?

I’m rooting for the latter.  That’s where the good stuff, the interesting stuff, the emotion-provoking stuff resides.

Those who mind don’t matter. What’s the worst that can happen if someone disagrees?  They tell you you’re wrong?  (been there)  Someone chastises your choices?  (been there)  Someone demands you change you mind based on their beliefs?  (omgosh, so been there)

I hope that happens to you, Sweet E, because the folks that don’t matter will help you hone your voice, face your fears, and help you clarify your beliefs.  My opinion is that you will not only survive the opposition, but your voice will grow stronger because of it.

Those who matter don’t mind. These are the folks you want to speak to, those who matter. You will encounter people from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe and those that matter will share an openness to a voice that has the courage to be who they are, that has the courage to say what they feel.

Those who matter may not always agree with you, but will respect your truth.

Finding your voice takes courage.  Have the fearlessness that your voice matters.  Believe that who you are and what you feel will resonate with another.

When you do, you will find your voice.

 

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Ask OMT!

Friday 29th of August 2014

[…] that if successful, may become a regular series here at OMT!  Kinda like a grown-up version of the What I’ll Tell Sweet E series.  For now I’m calling it: Ask […]

Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon

Wednesday 2nd of April 2014

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I think I tell too much. This came just in time. :)

Mrs. Tucker

Wednesday 2nd of April 2014

I love things that come just in time. :)

Bob

Monday 31st of March 2014

If Sweet E will listen to his grandma he's going to do just fine. You not only give good advice, you give it in a wonderful "voice." This and some of your other "What I'll Tell Sweet E" posts have said many of the same things I've tried to say to my grands, http://axiesdad.blogspot.com/2013/01/behold-turtle.html and said it better.

Mrs. Tucker

Monday 31st of March 2014

Thank you, Bob. Not sure how well he'll listen, but this will be here waiting on him if he decides he needs some sound advice.

Rebecca | LettersFromSunnybrook

Monday 31st of March 2014

Just love this! That is what I have been working on in my own life journey -- finding my voice finally, at age 40. Never too early or to late. Saw this on Motivation Mondays.

Mrs. Tucker

Monday 31st of March 2014

You're right...it's never ever too late to find your voice. Your comment was the first thing I saw this morning and gave me a happy!

Barb

Sunday 30th of March 2014

Oh, Dr. Seuss never ceases to be a source of wisdom and wonder! I like how you pulled apart the quote. Some great learnings there. AND, I really liked seeing it in your marvelous handwriting - I'm a bit of a handwriting addict. :) Visiting from Sunday Showcase linkup

Mrs. Tucker

Sunday 30th of March 2014

Dr. Seuss has stayed with me far far past my childhood; his wisdom is timeless. Sad to say, the handwriting is not mine. If it were, you'd have trouble reading it!

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