| In times when the outer world often tells us to shut | | | | Do we tell others to shut up, to be quiet? Probably, |
| up, be quiet and be calm, it will make a huge | | | | we would never consider doing this. That is why we |
| difference to do just the opposite. I remember too | | | | should treat ourselves equally and speak out |
| many situations in my life when I was told not to | | | | whatever is inside and needs to be expressed. |
| speak out for different reasons - since it would not | | | | Now, I challenge you to watch situations closely |
| please the other person, since it would not be the | | | | when you feel that somebody wants you to shut up |
| appropriate attitude, or just since "one doesn't do it". | | | | or be calm. Can you find out why this person tries to |
| Sometimes the reason was even that it would be of | | | | control your voice? Whatever the reason, keep |
| disadvantage to me to convey what my truth is. | | | | expressing your opinion and let the other person |
| Should we be quiet? Should we shut up? Should we | | | | know that you are not going to be quiet. |
| let anybody keep us from expressing our thoughts? | | | | Nobody can stop you from expressing your thoughts |
| Just think about why other people want us to shut | | | | except you. Nobody can allow you to convey your |
| up. Mostly it is because they think it will be of | | | | truth except you. |
| disadvantage to them if we speak out. If they are | | | | Finally, I will show you four ways how to convey |
| friends, it might be that they fear it could be of | | | | your thoughts when you are not supposed to: |
| disadvantage for our lives. Maybe they are right. | | | | 1. Write down what you have to say on a sheet of |
| However, it is a human right to express one's voice | | | | paper. Then look for a place where you can shout it |
| as long as we don't harm anybody else. Do we | | | | out without disturbing anybody. |
| respect human rights? Of course we do. Humans just | | | | 2. Meet the person you would like to talk to, and tell |
| feel that everybody should be allowed to freely | | | | her or him in a respectful and friendly manner how |
| speak her or his thoughts. | | | | you feel. |
| Law is not the only reason why we should continue | | | | 3. Just say "I know that I am not supposed to say |
| expressing our voice, even if we are knocked down | | | | this, but...", and then follow with exactly what you |
| or in a difficult situation. This other reason I am | | | | want to convey. |
| speaking about is the respect which we show to | | | | 4. Alternatively, you can start with "I don't dare to |
| ourselves. We respect others and listen to them, and | | | | say...", followed by your truth about the topic. |
| so should we also behave with ourselves. | | | | |