A pleasant woman's voice often surprises me in my car; it says quite calmly, "The speed limit is 50 miles per hour." That, snippeteers, is "Valentina's warning" which I had pre-set in the settings of my candy-apple-red Fiat 500X. The voice reminds me I am driving 10 miles over the speed limit. Alright, easy girl, take a breath, you'll get there anyway, God willing.
Voices.
Am I listening? Yes, Valentina's voice makes me immediately pull up my big foot from the gas pedal and slow her down.
Chatting with my cousin last week on a specific topic, he reminded me of something that stayed in his head which I had told him 15 years ago - something he said helps him to this day.
Often when I am writing, I will hear another writer remind me to do this or that, or to avoid doing this or that.
Voices.
Whose voice do you hear? Who is in your head? Is it wise words or advice once uttered by your mother or father, grandmother or grandfather? Is it a phrase, adage, or quote which has stuck with you for years - one which you have made your mantra?
Is it a tip from a mentor or former boss which helps you apply yourself well in today's work? Is it God, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary helping you to muddle through motherhood? Is it the devil suggesting you do something wrong?
Voices we hear in our heads could be memories from past conversations. Could be the universe guiding you. Is it an Angel? (Ahh, those are lovely.)
Is it the naysayers who predict you cannot do it? Or maybe the voice is your own self-badgering, criticism, self-loathing?
Voices.
Good or not so good ... are you listening?
And when you do listen, do you "adjust the speed?" Does it help you to reset, alter something, shift? Or do you ignore the voice, block it out, or distract yourself?
Voices.
There are times when we will pay attention to a voice - and times when we will not. Maybe we might even talk back and aloud to the voice - it might be a loved person from the past. (I would suggest you not do this while in the grocery store.) They might have something loving to say - or not. If the voice is saying something negative to you, ignore it and be grateful that this relationship is in your past.
A voice could be yourself representing you at a different age, helping you through something now.
If the voice is your own, but it's badgering you, stand up to that! Shut it down immediately. SHUT IT UP.
"You're fat."
"You're not enough."
"You'll never make it far."
"No one will ever love me."
"I hate myself."
"I cannot do this."
You wouldn't say these awful words to a friend - why say them to yourself?
Voices.
I have sometimes heard a voice while out and about calling my name out loud! Yet it was no one. (Now for that - I would like an explanation. Who called me???) I have heard one of my kids call "Mom!" when I am not even with my kids - and I turn around without them there.
Do you hear what I hear, snippeteers? (Or am I just really punchy as I write at 11:51 p.m. on a Thursday night?)
[And if you are hearing any other "voices" ... you know, like the really creepy kind, well ... just RUN! Run fast. I cannot help you with those.] ;-D
Goodnight. I wish you a good sleep of voiceless dreams.
