Your voice

You have a voice in your head, one that speaks to you nearly every second of every day. The funny thing is that it isn’t really yours. It is an aggregate of what family, friends, coaches, teachers and even complete strangers have told you along your journey through life.

If you are fortunate, your inner voice is your greatest ally. It is constantly encouraging you and reminding you of times you overcame adversity, succeeded and kept your cool. If you are something more like me, your inner voice is a liar. It continually reminds you of your failures, why things won’t work out. It is a voice of continuous doubt.

Right now, you are contributing to someone else’s inner voice – your spouse, your son or daughter, your friend or someone online that you don’t even know. Is it a contribution you are proud to give? Is someone building themself up or beating themself down because of you? What you say and how you say it matters. And even though you can’t see the recipient, any mindless, thoughtless social media messages can wreak havoc on someone’s inner voice. It all adds up.

The most important gift I can give to those around me is a voice of encouragement. Starting today, that is the gift I intend to give.