Finding Our Voices

When I was younger, I wondered why silver-haired older women still bothered to comb their hair and put on make-up. Surely the years of sex and romance would be over for them! Now I'm one of them, and was I ever wrong! Standing in the presence of my young, handsome, hotter-than-a-movie-star neighbor, with his quiet masculine power and soft southern drawl, I go from wishing I could get around in a wheelchair instead of walking, to resisting the urge to throw myself on the ground and do sit-ups to flatten my stomach. I look into his bedroom eyes, ready to move closer and murmur, "USE ME!" when he twists me back into current reality with a respectful "Yes Ma'am, I'll change out the locks on your doors." 

YESTERDAY!

Wasn't it yesterday when I could draw a hunky stud like him into my parlor? How can I forget that I'm now missing a few body parts and sporting a mask of wrinkles guaranteed to send "love at first sight" careening into a ditch? 

My continuing admiration for young and powerful members of the opposite sex seems to be more about a piece of my life that I was unable to fulfill, a regret that out of all my husbands and lovers, none were able to adore me--or was it the other way around--? Still, I'm grateful to have Mr. Eye-Candy willing to adeptly replace all the locks on my doors and fix whatever breaks, which for a change, won't be my heart.

Movie Recommendation
See the movie "The King's Speech," if you haven't already. It's an inspiring true story about the stuttering King George VI of England and his Australian speech therapist--a failed actor named Lionel Logue--who helps him find his voice.

This movie is inspirational on several levels. My friend Darcy wrote, 

Darcy

"The King's Speech was a great example for all of us in facing our fears to do the things that really matter in our lives.  I can relate it to how I am trying very hard to get over the fear of singing/playing in public by doing it over and over. He was my hero for sticking with it and not giving up. (I also liked the part where his daughters were proud of him for his accomplishment because they knew how difficult it was for him.)"

In many ways, we do for each other what Lionel did for the king: we help each other find our voices--that power and confidence we all have within us to shape our lives, influence others, and face tough challenges. We do this by listening, encouraging, validating, and supporting each other. 
  I also want to add here that this story came to all of us as a result of the real Lionel Logue's careful documentation of the events of his life. I saw a documentary in which his descendants showed the actual journals, including the king's speeches with his markings. Hmmm. What inspiration might your journal and/or life story bring to future generations?


Your Turn--Your Story!
 I think many of you have been unable to post your comments to these blogs. If it asks you to write in your birthday, it doesn't have to be the real deal, ya-know. 
Here's my question: Who has helped you find your voice? What did the person do to help you gain confidence in your skills and abilities?