Man, is it hard to find your voice. It is so difficult to become who you are. Society is always trying to shape people into what they should be that people lose what they could be and what they want to be. It is so hard to sing when everyone is telling you to be quiet. Finding your voice and singing (this is how we'll describe speaking up for oneself) feels fantastic. It took me a long time to learn to sing, and it'll take others longer. That's what happens when society does not want to hear your song.

I want to hear you sing. I want to hear your song. Come sing with me. I’m still learning the notes, but we can learn together. I’ve got parts of my song figured out. It’s your turn to learn your song. Who are you? How do you know that’s who you are? Did someone tell you… or are you figuring that out on your own?

Let me tell you how I started to find my voice. It may not be the same way that you will discover your voice, but it might be a place for you to start. I got out of my comfort-zone. Such an awful cliche, isn’t it? Get out of your comfort-zone? How many times do we hear that in life? Ugh, let me tell you, I heard it so much I want to vomit saying it. But it’s true. It can help!

I’ve been such a quiet, shy person my entire life. I hate having to talk with people, I don’t get in front of people to talk, and don’t get me started about telephones (they’re the worst). So how did I learn to get used to talking with people? Well, to be honest, I’m still not used to it. My heart still threatens to beat out of my chest every single time someone wants to talk or *shudders* call me. But I’ve learned to cope with it. “BUT HOW?” I can practically hear you whisper.

I got a job. I did an interview to do a job where I have to constantly talk to people. I’m a cashier. I deal with people daily. We chat, I scan their groceries, sometimes I have to call managers on the phone, and sometimes I have to use the intercom. I hate it. But I can now chat with strangers in an elevator. I strike up conversations in lines. I got other jobs where I have to talk to people. I am still afraid, but I can do it.

When it comes to debating, that is the biggest part of my song that I'm still learning. I can debate all day in written form on the internet, but set someone I know in front of me and give us a topic on which we disagree.... I'll probably get up and walk (run) out the door. It is even worse when I disagree with family. Many people probably feel this way, but it is just too difficult for me to even say the words "I disagree with your opinion" to family. I clam up, go silent. I'm working on it. Why should I bother? Well, for one, if you can't tell your family that you disagree, how will you ever tell anyone else that you disagree with them? And two, I am a senior in college, getting ready to "grow up" and "get out." I don't want to get to my future and still not be able to tell people why I disagree with them!

So I'm still working on that part of my song. I'm slowly learning those notes. I am becoming a better advocate for myself, and for others, and it is all because I am finding my voice. I have come a lot further than I ever thought that I could over the last few years, and even the last few weeks have brought about a lot of changes for myself, but I still have a long way to go.

Finding your voice is hard, but it is possible and it takes time. I’ve been working on mine since my junior year of high school and I quite often forget the tune. My song is still choppy and I only know parts of it, but it is getting better. Yours can too, but you need to practice it. Find the way that will allow you to find your voice and practice your song, even if it means leaving your comfort-zone.