Hey, welcome back.
After heartbreak, after failure,
and we weren't quiet,
today, we pick up your voice.
So, welcome back to Rooted&Real,
and this is your pal, Lynda.
So, you stopped saying no.
You stopped saying what you wanted.
You stopped saying, "That hurt me."
You stopped saying, "That wasn't nice."
You stopped saying, "Let's talk."
So, you made yourself small,
to just keep the peace.
But, you see, what you don't realize,
that wasn't peace.
That was silence.
And silence became a cage.
'Umefungiwa' (You're trapped), 'umejifungia' (You've trapped yourself).
You've got to start small.
Say no, to even that small thing.
Say, I like this, but you say it out loud.
Your voice is a muscle.
Train it.
Write it before you speak it.
That is, if you've been quiet for too long,
if you've been silent for too long,
write it before you speak it.
Journals say a lot.
They say words you're scared to say.
And you know, people won't interrupt you.
Your voice does not need permission.
You don't need people to understand,
for your truth to be valid.
'Sawa' (Okay)?
You are allowed to take up space
with your words again,
so you better do it.
Clear your throat. (Clears throat)
Like that.
Speak.
Even if it shakes.
The world needs the version of you
that talks back to pain.
So you know what?
Pick up your voice.