Your voice
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While watching the live-action version of The Little Mermaid movie, I heard a line between Ariel and King Triton that caught my attention. Ariel told her father, “Thank you for hearing me.”
King Triton responded, “You shouldn’t have had to give up your voice to be heard.” This dialog made me realize that my voice can carry power by simply speaking my mind, telling the truth, and standing up for myself. My blogs are just one way that I have learned to speak my mind. It’s a way to share my goals, my thoughts, and what inspires me.
Growing up, believe it or not, I was very shy. I would barely talk to others. I would even be shy around my own family. It felt like I was Ariel on land with no voice at times – I was a young girl, wanting to talk, but could not. With the support of many caring people in my life, I began to find my voice. Although, it took practice!
If your family is discussing doing something that you don’t want to do, one idea is to pull your parents or guardians aside and talk to them calmly. Share your thoughts so maybe you can try to reach common ground and compromise in a way where everybody wins.
For example, if your family all agrees to watch a scary movie and you don’t want to because your more interested in true stories, maybe you can try to get a vote by watching a True Crime Documentary. Or, maybe while everyone is watching the scary movie, you can sit down with the family and do a small activity such as a craft, or quietly play on your phone so that you can still be a part of the family time.
Your voice has more power than you realize. It may not always feel that way, but it really does. Your voice will help you negotiate small matters in day-to-day life, and big matters like voting or standing up for yourself or someone else. Your voice is the key to letting others know what you need or want. Use it, but with kindness and compassion.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Until next time,
Sarah