how alcohol stole my voice

“When we women can use our talent and energy, we begin to speak in our own voices, for our own values, and that makes everybody’s life better.” — Melinda Gates; The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World

When I was struggling with alcohol addiction I was missing two key points in my life; I couldn’t use my talent and energy and I couldn’t use my voice.

I can see it plain as day now that I’m on the other side of my addiction, but back then, when I was either craving a drink or recovering from a hangover, I was lost. Every day felt like a nightmare of shame, guilt, and struggle.

I knew I needed to do better. I knew my life wasn’t working. I felt like I was being held down, but I had no idea how to fix it.

I knew something was missing, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for.

When something is holding you down, in my case it was alcohol, you are unable to flourish. You’re like a bird unable to fly. You want so badly to spread your wings, but with the weight on top of you, there is no chance you can get off the ground.

Now that I’m no longer suffering from my addiction, I’ve been able to establish a sense of self. I know WHO I am without alcohol. Once I established a sense of self, I was able to use my talent and energy in ways like never before. Simple ways like caring for my body and family to the best of my ability, and in harder ways such as writing a book and maintaining my blog. Now that I can use my talent and energy, I’m able to use my VOICE.

I use my voice to stand up for my rights. I use my voice to stand up for my beliefs. I use my voice to stand up for my values.

I not only stand up for myself, but I’m able to stand up for others too. What a tragedy it would have been to stay buried forever. How can we make our world a better place for our children if we stay held down?

How do I feel now that the mountain is gone? Angry! I feel so very angry that I allowed something to hold me down for all that time. I have a right as a human-being to flourish, we ALL have that right.

Whatever your mountain is that is crushing you, start climbing it today. Is it your self image? Is it an unequal marriage? Is it your family? Is it food? Is it your past?

We ALL have mountains. We HAVE to climb them to the top to save ourselves and our society. You deserve to flourish!

Find your voice and start using it! I’m with you friends. I love you ALL so much.