16 Feb 2020

Speak Up

By paulajoyce 0 Comments
Lifestyle

You Must Speak Up

I recently received an email with the following question: “I used to enjoy Facebook, but my friends are telling me not to post my feelings about the current threats to individual rights. I don’t want to upset them, but I feel strongly about this. What should I do?”

A lot of people are experiencing the same confusion, and I completely understand the concern. I even know people who stopped using Facebook because they were getting such mean-spirited comments from people. Regardless of what your beliefs are, you have the right to express your opinion.

The question is more one of how you express those beliefs. I encourage people to do no harm. We can state facts and share our beliefs without name-calling or defamation of character. I’m not suggesting that we cover up or sugar coat the truth. I’m just saying that we speak the truth with respect. This is as important for our own well-being as it is for our friends and acquaintances. Over the holidays when everyone was trying so hard to not talk about politics, they were actually sending stress hormones (cortisol) into their body. The result was that a lot of people got sick because the stress of not expressing themselves weakened their immune system.

The Antidote to Fear is Action 

If history has taught us anything, it’s that we cannot be silent. We must speak out in the face of injustice. Fear has become so overwhelming that people are writing or shouting expletives without even being aware of it. At one point, I had to tell people that I would remove them from Facebook if they didn’t communicate in a civil way. And I did remove some people, not because of their beliefs but because of the way they expressed those beliefs. No one has the right to be rude and no one has the right to tell you that you shouldn’t speak your truth. Bullies get away with abusing people while others watch because they instill fear.

The antidote to fear is action. That’s why it’s essential that you not listen to the people who want to silence you. There are many ways to be heard. Posting on Facebook and other social media is one way. You can also find like-minded people and join local groups to feel the support of community. Decide which causes are most important to you and volunteer and/or contribute money. Whatever you choose to do, do it in a way that is consistent with who you are. Have honest conversations with people. You will soon discover who comes from an open loving heart and who doesn’t. Then you can make conscious choices about who you want to be around.

In this time of growing fear, anger and violence, it is more important than ever that we protect ourselves and find people to be with whose intentions are loving and positive. Hate is a product of fear. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Be part of the solution, speak your truth with love.

An Exercise to Release Fear

  1. If fear were a color, what color would it be?
  2. Choose a symbol that represents fear.
  3. On a piece of paper, use the color you chose to draw the symbol that represents fear.
  4. Tear up the paper into tiny pieces, like confetti, and throw it up in the air or burn it, spread the ashes or pieces of paper in your garden and say a prayer that the fear be transformed to love.

At the end of this simple exercise, you will have released a layer of fear and you will feel lighter and more at ease. You can do this every time you feel fear and it will help you release more each time. You can also use this for other emotions like guilt or shame.

For more tips on learning to release your fear and speaking up, check out these past episodes of Uplift Your Life: Nourishment of the Spirit:

Dr. Paula, The Life Doctor, has helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their health, wealth and relationships through her writing, coaching, and speaking. Contact her today to get started on your journey. Recently Dr. Paula Joyce, PhD was chosen by Expertise as one of the 16 Best Life Coaches in Dallas.

Blessings,

Dr. Paula Joyce, The Life Doctor

Personal, Business, and Spiritual Transformation Coach
Email- drpaula@drpaulajoyce.com
Office Phone- 972.788.2393
To learn more, please visit my website-www.drpaulajoyce.com
To hear more shows from Uplift Your Life: Nourishment of the Spirit-CLICK HERE

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