Silence isn’t always golden!

Speak-up

Oh, what lengths do we go to?

To blend in, here you played the maestro.

To squeeze out all you could, I lost myself to you.

Life can be cruel, if you keep it all in and for whom?

The one, who cast a web on you, had you gasping for breath!

(Artist credit - D. Henpi)

We are all intrinsically different on account of the environment, circumstances, how we are raised, friends, life choices and more. A few amongst us have had the privilege, to be spirited if not opinionated; to express our views freely and a there is significant percentage, which operates from the belief that silence harbours harmony.

Saying nothing is saying something; do you really want to allow your silence to give a message contrary to your beliefs?

Honestly while the atmosphere has made all of us increasingly low on tolerance levels and high on impatience. Am sure we can intelligently and coherently express ourselves and not resort to peeping like baby baboons.

The link between humans and animals may be closer than we may have realised. A plethora of research findings have found that our furry relatives may share many of the same emotions that humans experience in everyday life.

As a matter of fact it seems that we humans could learn a thing or two in expressing gratitude from them. Never heard of a dog that is loved and well fed biting the owner. There are documented stories of elephants finding people who were lost and guarding them for security, a humpback whale sweeping a seal on it’s back out of the water, away from the killer whales.

Why are we humans so judgemental? Where is inclusivity? Sneering at people who stutter, mocking another’s faith, challenging the weak merely to oppress them…

There are great orators who can convey the nastiest of emotions in almost a poetic manner and few struggle to conquer their fears in front of an opponent. The latter maybe a volatile bunch when they erupt or may burn themselves for no good. Today with technology and the overall change of gears in the societal acceptance, many tools can aid one to find their voice and express it most effectively.

Some tools available are; practising reinforcements, storify, vocaroo, audacity, podcasts that help you channelize your inner voice, life-coach gurus, creative writing, role playing, debate, voice modulation, body language, facial expressions, you can take your pick and explore the basic fundamental right,”Freedom of expression”!

Freedom of expression is never absolute there are laws and regulations around the world that undermine it. We have lost many great icons that had a powerful voice for equality and social progress. Federick Douglass called “free expression the moral renovator of society”. Classic examples would be #MeToo #blacklivesmatter.

It is high time we “Speak UP” for our basic rights, injustice, and demand our due. Know the difference between silence being golden and it being inflammatory to you.

(Artist Credit - Isabel Emrich)

Democracy depends on the idea that we hold each other’s right to express ourselves and be heard above our own desire to always get the outcome we want. When an otherwise vocal, the head of a nation doesn’t address an issue that baffles the world at large, his silence his deafening. It raises questions on governance, security and more, therefore pertinent that, one speaks up!

You can’t impose tolerance top-down. It has to come from people opening up, expressing themselves freely sharing their perspective, that’s how we make progress together.

D. Hempi, a recluse artist for 20 years, whose artwork takes a critical view of social, political and cultural issues. Often on the darker side of things, feels it became a pressing need to showcase the unappealing in an imaginative manner. To artistically give a voice to his beliefs, his body of my work reflects the other end of the spectrum. His art is exclusively available @Breathemart.

To keep voices, feelings, emotions, any form of injustice within you is a folly. Remember that the recipient is as much at fault as the culprit. Be true to yourself and sensitive to those you impact with your silence, it is a disservice.

(Artist Credit : Atul Bharmoria)

People are different and lots of times expectations are mismatched agree to disagree. Give yourself permission to say “NO” without feeling guilty or selfish. Anybody who expects you to say, “YES” all the times clearly doesn’t have your best interests at heart. Don’t exhaust yourself by being a people pleaser it gets you nowhere.

On a lighter but equally important note, don’t you feel an adrenaline rush when you muster the courage to tell you boss to stop taking credit, when it isn’t his/hers to claim! In relationships when we kiss and make up, we realize all the time wasted on account of not ‘speaking up’. Timing too plays a pivotal role more so in delicate circumstances, but “Speaking Up” is invariably less harmful and far more productive in the long run than being mute.

Even macaw’s loud calls, squawks, and screams echo through the forest canopy; am sure we too can express ourselves and @breathe a sigh of relief that it’s not in vain.