WEBVTT

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Hey, welcome back.

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After heartbreak, after failure,

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and we weren't quiet,

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today, we pick up your voice.

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So, welcome back to Rooted&Real,

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and this is your pal, Lynda.

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So, you stopped saying no.

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You stopped saying what you wanted.

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You stopped saying, "That hurt me."

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You stopped saying, "That wasn't nice."

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You stopped saying, "Let's talk."

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So, you made yourself small,

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to just keep the peace.

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But, you see, what you don't realize,

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that wasn't peace.

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That was silence.

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And silence became a cage.

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'Umefungiwa' (You're trapped), 'umejifungia' (You've trapped yourself).

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You've got to start small.

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Say no, to even that small thing.

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Say, I like this, but you say it out loud.

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Your voice is a muscle.

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Train it.

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Write it before you speak it.

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That is, if you've been quiet for too long,

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if you've been silent for too long,

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write it before you speak it.

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Journals say a lot.

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They say words you're scared to say.

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And you know, people won't interrupt you.

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Your voice does not need permission.

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You don't need people to understand,

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for your truth to be valid.

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'Sawa' (Okay)?

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You are allowed to take up space

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with your words again,

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so you better do it.

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Clear your throat. (Clears throat)

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Like that.

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Speak.

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Even if it shakes.

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The world needs the version of you

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that talks back to pain.

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So you know what?

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Pick up your voice.