This week’s piece is the conclusion of my series on how to nurture and develop your voice. Over the past month, I’ve asked you four different discussion questions with the intention of sparking a bigger conversation.
To review, those questions are:
Are you ready for the bigger conversation?
At the end of this week’s column, I will have a special announcement about how all this will come together.
• • •
I’ve referenced The West Wing a few times in the past few weeks. Especially Leo McGarry’s line about “lifting houses off the ground” with your voice.
I’ve become a lot more present lately to the power that my voice holds.
|
There’s one episode in season two that fits perfectly with what I’m talking about.
President Bartlet is getting out of his motorcade for the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. He’s got the weight of the world (literally) on the words he’s about to speak. No pressure, I know.
Two things in this sequence really speak to the beauty and to the importance of having a huge voice and using it responsibly.
- Bartlet takes a moment before the Sgt. at Arms announces him to the Speaker “Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States!” to bow his head in prayer.
- Before Bartlet even does this, he kneels down to tie his shoe.
Every time I see this episode I get present to the weight of the office that Jed Bartlet holds. However, this is simply a Tuesday night for him.
To me, this short scene answers all four of my discussion questions over the last month:
- Bartlet’s truth is that he wants to deliver a powerful address to the nation because he believes in it so much.
- His faith – in himself and in God – inspires him.
- He loves his country, God, and his purpose.
- And being of service to the world sets Bartlet’s soul on fire.
I know that he’s a fictional character. I mean… sad but true. Bartlet is a fictional character. But in the universe in which he lived, he’s a man with a hugely powerful voice.
I’ve become a lot more present lately to the power that my voice holds. And I’ve written about this before in this space.
And looking at over the last few weeks’ articles in this space, there’s one overarching theme to this. There’s one overarching theme to the entire “develop your voice” dynamic.
To speak powerfully on things that matter to you, you must own, trust, and empower your entire being.
Let me say that in another way – for you to own your voice, you must own all of you. The good, the bad, the ugly, your light, your shadows – you must own it all.
This is true confidence. This is true authenticity. This is truth!
I’ve got two great examples of this.
Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the most tragic figures in music history.
SRV was a guitar master. He brought heavy blues influences into his Rock music for a highly unique sound. And he spoke with a huge voice with that Strat strapped to his neck.
He also battled drug and alcohol addiction for many years and managed to get sober.
We lost SRV in 1990 from a helicopter crash at the age of 35.
I’d like to point out a video that I recently saw of a 1989 performance of his. He’s ripping a gnarly solo when he snaps a string. And from what I’ve heard, Vaughan used thick strings.
He continues with his solo, but he glances off stage at a roadie. As Stevie sings the next verse, a roadie walks out and hands him another guitar. In a less than a minute, the other guitar is unplugged, and the new one is strapped up and plugged in. In perfect time for Stevie to continue with the song.
I always associated confidence with cockiness. But that’s never been what confidence is.
|
This says a couple things to me. He had such confidence in his voice (that Stratocaster strapped to his neck) that he was able to fight through the breakdown. He had confidence in his circle – that Roadie had to be ready and that guitar had to be in tune!
Stevie used his powerful voice to speak his truth. And I’m sure you can see how he answered my discussion questions too.
Another example comes from my own life here recently.
I always associated confidence with cockiness. But that’s never been what confidence is.
I was speaking with my dear friend Shana at lunch the other day. And she reflected something powerful to me.
You don’t have to be perfect to be effective in relationships. You don’t have to be perfect in order to have your voice heard. You don’t have to be perfect to be a king.
All you have to do is be yourself. Own all of yourself! And let your voice be heard.
• • •
Here we go, here’s what this has been setting up.
Starting in September, I’m starting a four session, virtual group coaching group devoted to supporting you in owning your voice. Allowing you to speak out with authenticity and power. And helping you tell your story!
It’s called “Own your Voice, Own Your Life.” And it’s all about helping kings to own their entire beings, so that they can own their voice.
Sessions will be every other Wednesday starting on September 12th at 7pm Eastern Time. Registration begins at 8pm Eastern time, next Wednesday August 8th.
If you have any questions, please reach out. Email me at [email protected] and we can set up a time to chat on the phone about whatever questions you may have.
Tuition for this program is only $300. But sign up before August 15th, and you get the 15% earlybird discount.
This is a steal! Jump on this and own your voice!
Speaking of “own your voice, own your life” I have an opportunity for you to hear ME put this into practice for myself.
At 7pm Eastern time on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, I’m going to be a guest on Love Living Radio, hosted by my friend Emily Perkins. On the program, Emily and I are going to have a frank and honest discussion about how our relationships with our bodies affect our entire lives and our entire beings. From our physical health, to our relationships, to our sex lives, even being a parent – body image affects everything. This should be an eye-opening experience for all.
It’ll be a side of me that I don’t usually share publicly. But it’s a side of me that I own and empower.
Own your voice, own your life!
Photo by Gem & Lauris RK on Unsplash