Dooley Noted: 2/2/2015
I lost my voice while teaching in London.
Normally, I have a loud voice that can easily fill a room (whether one likes it or not).
My rambunctious voice is such a huge part of my personality that I don’t feel like myself at all without it.
But a funny thing happens when you’re forced to be silent.
You listen harder.
You articulate less of what you are thinking.
Your replies become sharper and more succinct.
As I lost my voice, I listened as the incredible assistant teachers stepped up their game even more to articulate their knowledge of the subject.
And losing my voice brought back memories.
It shuttled me back to the summer of 2013, when Dad’s voice was stifled by a small cell lung carcinoma.
I thought I’d never hear his voice again.
But less than a year later, I smiled at the melody of him saying, “Hi, Jo!”
Our voices are more than just sound.
They are expressions of who we are.
Sometimes things happen with us to learn from the past.
As my voice works on returning, I will use these days to my advantage.
I will listen harder.
I will appreciate the sounds of the voices around me.
I will understand the voice is a gift.
I will choose my words more carefully.
I will let the silence give an opportunity for others to speak THEIR voices.
Even if you haven’t lost your voice, I hope you choose to listen harder to the voices around you.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley