I went to the movies and in the back of the theater, three teenagers were loudly talking and laughing. It was very difficult to pay attention to the movie. 

Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and I got up and walked back to them. 

I said, “Would it be possible for you to stop talking so the rest of us can hear the movie? That would be so awesome. Just so awesome. Thanks a lot.” When I got back to my seat, the people behind me thanked me. 

In the past I wouldn’t have spoken up. I would have been too self-conscious and I wouldn’t have wanted to upset them. I would have waited for someone else to take care of it. Have you ever done that? Many of us have. 

We don’t want to cause conflict, so we keep quiet. We want to be liked. We don’t want to risk disapproval. But when we do that, we’re denying our own needs. We’re not listening to ourselves and what we want. 

I wanted to understand what was happening in the movie and they were interfering with that. When we speak our truth and stand up for ourselves, we’re strengthening the connection to our authentic selves. As I’ve said many times on my radio shows, I believe that when we live true to who we are and what we want, we’re creating a happier life. We’re making conscious choices in our words and actions.  

These days we do have to take our safety into consideration if we speak up in a public setting. But most of the time when we suppress ourselves, it’s in our interactions with family, friends or partners. 

If you have the habit of not speaking your truth, reconnect to yourself. What are you thinking? What do you really want to say? Find out what’s stopping you from speaking up. And then say whatever it is you want to say. Be strong in who you are. Reclaim your power to create the life you want to have! Don’t wait for someone else to take care of it!

Speak your truth!

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