Fearless Voices – HEAL MY VOICE

Blogs by Heal My Voice Authors: October 19, 2014

During the month of October, we are shining a light on the Heal My Voice Authors. Every Sunday, the Heal My Voice blog will have a list of blog posts from some of the authors.

So…it’s Sunday, October 19 and week 3 of sharing powerful voices of women! Check out the blogs and leave comments. We want to hear your voice, too.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Empowered Voices: True Stories by Awakened Women

Inspired Voices: True Stories by Visionary Women

Harmonic Voices: True Stories by Women on the Path to Peace

Authors:

Kathleen Nelson Troyer

Blogs this week:

Tell Me A Secret…

By Andrea Hylen

http://www.andreahylen.com/tell-me-a-secret/

Rocket Science

By Sandy McDougall

http://www.themaverickedge.com/rocket-science/

Taking Responsibility

By Karen Porter

http://www.mamaporter.com/2014/08/taking-responsibility-2/

On My Mind: Falling Into Winter

By Ann Quasman, Woman Talk Live

http://womantalklive.com/2014/10/16/on-my-mind-falling-into-winter/

My Fibromyalgia Recovery Story: An Interview on CFS Unravelled

By Beth Terrence

http://theheartofawakening.wordpress.com/2014/09/06/my-fibromyalgia-recovery-story-an-inteview-on-cfs-unravelled/

The Top 13 Things I Would Share with My Younger Self

By Kathleen Nelson Troyer

http://gentlymovingforward.net/2014/03/06/the-top-13-things-i-would-share-with-my-younger-self/

Blogs by Heal My Voice Authors: October 12, 2014

During the month of October, we are shining a light on the Heal My Voice Authors. Every Sunday, the Heal My Voice blog will have a list of blog posts from some of the authors.

So…it’s Sunday, October 12 and week 2 of sharing powerful voices of women! Check out the blogs and leave comments. We want to hear your voice, too.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Empowered Voices: True Stories by Awakened Women

Inspired Voices: True Stories by Visionary Women

Harmonic Voices: True Stories by Women on the Path to Peace

Authors:

Kathleen Nelson Troyer

Blogs this week

A Little Dream Comes True

By Andrea Hylen

http://www.andreahylen.com/a-little-dream-comes-true/

Embracing the Problem You Solve It

By Monisha Mittal

http://www.yourinnerease.com/1/post/2013/08/embracing-the-problem-you-solve-it.html

Keep Breathing

By Karen Porter

http://www.mamaporter.com/2014/05/keep-breathing/

On My Mind: The Scaredy-Cat

By Ann Quasman

http://womantalklive.com/2014/10/09/on-my-mind-the-scaredy-cat/

WTL 5: Meet Beth Terrence

By Beth Terrence

http://womantalklive.com/2014/10/09/wtl-5-meet-beth-terrence/

Whales of Tonga: Part 2. Trust. Prepare. Surrender

By Kathleen Nelson Troyer

http://gentlymovingforward.net/2014/10/02/whales-of-tonga-part-2-trust-prepare-surrender/

Fearless Voices: An Introduction

A few days ago, I wrote a blog about the difference between a Foreword, an Introduction and more… You can read the details here:

An Introduction is usually written by someone who has written the book or who has been a facilitator of a project, as in the anthology type style. They share the journey and the history of the creation of the book.

As one example, here is the Introduction in the first Heal My Voice Book:

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Introduction

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

During the last nine months, twenty-two women gathered in a circle in the form of a secret Facebook group, weekly phone calls, and in-person gatherings. The focus of our connection was to write a story that wanted to emerge that would heal an experience in our lives.

In the writing, the gentle reading and editing, the listening and support, using vulnerability as power, our voices emerged clearer and stronger. Writing. Speaking. Leadership.

There are a lot of details I could write about our time together, but I am on a mission and I don’t have a lot of time to bring you into the story. So, I am going to get right to the point.

Women are only using a small percentage of their voices. I don’t have any scientific proof like the studies that have been conducted on the brain. You know the studies, the ones that say we are only using a small percentage of our brains?

I will venture to say that women are only using a small percentage of their voices; a small percentage of their infinite potential; a small percentage of their unique, beautiful gifts and wisdom. My proof comes from being a woman, working with women, gathering in community with women, raising three daughters, volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader and a Destination Imagination Coach and witnessing women in all areas of my life.

I have witnessed their brilliance, their hearts and seen how powerful they are when no one is looking, when no one can see, when no one can hurt them and when someone believes in them. I have seen them stand up for other people but rarely for themselves.

Here is what I have also seen:

We apologize when we have done nothing wrong. We are afraid to ask for what we want. We are afraid to take up too much space. We think that other people have the answers for how we should live our lives. We hold on too tight. We give up too easily. We call each other names, put each other down, gossip instead of having direct, honest conversations. We whine, use passive-aggressive behavior, we learn to manipulate, back stab and hide as we go around the back door to try to get what we want.

It is time for that to change and many of us have made the choice to do that. We are courageous. We are fearless. We are healing an old story and we are practicing with our newly discovered voices until it becomes a natural way of living, of speaking, of honoring our words, our wisdom and acknowledging and celebrating each other.

It is time for women to heal their voices in communities where they can practice, feel safe, be seen and heard and heal from the wounds from trauma, loss, grief and abuse. And from that newly healed, grounded place, we are learning to fully express who we really are.

In the Heal My Voice book circles and letter writing projects, we believe healing an old story leads women to a richer expression of their unique gifts and leadership and gives them more access to the full expression of their voice.

When a woman is nurtured in community and given a space to speak about what she feels, thinks and wants, she heals her voice and begins to speak from a place of wisdom. She learns to listen to her inner guidance. She asks for support when she needs it. She taps into her vulnerability and uses it as power. She discovers her innate wisdom.

Why does it matter now?

Things are rapidly changing in the world. We are in a time of breakdown. The old structures are crumbling. And we have the chance to rebuild, rethink, and release things that no longer work. Women standing together and standing side by side with men is what is needed. We need the full expression of who we are. Connected to our hearts; Listening to and acting from inspiration; Joining together to lift humanity. We can’t heal the planet when we ourselves are emotionally and spiritually wounded.

The mission is to empower an army of women who heal a story in their lives, reconnect with their inner authority, and discover the next steps in leadership. Women in community expressing vulnerability, supporting each other, encouraging, laughing, connecting, collaborating and celebrating life.

As Marianne Williamson wrote in, “A Return to Love:”

“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

We are no longer just saying the words. We have gathered in community, healing our voices, giving each other permission and liberating each other. We are living this now.

This is the first of a series of books that are being created in communities of women around the world. This is a series of Voices individually and collectively breaking through into new territory and a new world.

We begin with Fearless Voices. We are ready now.

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Andrea Hylen believes in the power of a woman’s voice to usher in a new world. She is the founder of Heal My Voice, a Writing and Transition Coach, Orgasmic Meditation Teacher and co- author of Conscious Choices: An Evolutionary Woman’s Guide to Life. Andrea has discovered her unique gifts while parenting three daughters and learning to celebrate life after the deaths of her brother, son and husband. She currently lives in Los Angeles following the inspiration to collaborate with women in organizations and to travel around the world speaking and leading workshops. Her passion is connecting women to support each other in the full expression of who they are.

Fearless Voices: A Foreword

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

Yesterday I wrote a blog about the difference between a Foreword, an Introduction and more… You can read the details here.

As one example, here is the Foreword in the first Heal My Voice Book:

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Foreword by Claudia Carawan

We asked Claudia to write the Foreword because her song Fearless was the inspiration for the topic of the book. We asked her to write about what Fearless meant to her and to tell us about writing the song Fearless. She did include a short paragraph about the writers because she met them at an event and then read some of their stories. That is not a necessary part of the Foreword.

FOREWORD

By Claudia Carawan

I was going through a time in my life where I was experiencing a lot of change. I had quit my stable office job to pursue my dream of being a songwriter and recording artist. Although it was a time of growth for me, it was a challenging time because nothing was easy. Every day presented new challenges and I felt vulnerable. I recall one day in a moment of frustration announcing to my husband “I’m tired of feeling afraid!”

Shortly thereafter as I was writing in my journal, I heard a new song in my head. It was a melody that demanded my immediate attention, so I stopped what I was doing and sat down at the piano to capture it. The song felt very joy-filled. I knew intuitively that this melody demanded a dynamic lyric –a powerful lyric. I quickly grabbed a pen and started scratching out some lyrics. I was creating what is called in song writing circles, a “list song.” In a state of clarity I listed all the qualities I wished to posses. I tweaked and edited with reckless abandon and soon I was looking at the first draft of a brand new song called Fearless.

Fearless

I was born to live life fully

To let go of regret

To walk the high wire of life without a safety net

To follow something even bigger than my pride

To show up with courage even when I’m trembling inside

I will not worry about what others think of me

and I will not be shackled by the chains of conformity

I’ll break the mold set in the past

Keep pushing til I’m free at last

I’ll follow the path of my heart

and make my life a work of art

Call me fearless. I am fearless!

I will follow the road to adventure everywhere

I’ll let the top down and let the wind tangle up my hair

Hitch my dreams onto the brightest star

on the trapeze of life, I’ll throw my heart over the bar

On the other side of fear there lies euphoria

and a better understanding of who you really are

I’ll break the mold set in the past

keep pushing til I’m free at last

I’ll follow the path of my heart

and make my life a work of art

Call me fearless. I am fearless!

I’ll push outside the comfort zone

remembering I’m not alone

I’ll follow the path of my heart

and make my life a work of art

Call me fearless. I am fearless!

I believe creativity, when expressed is a powerful tool for personal growth. This highly personal song, seemed to be the perfect anthem for me to sing, to help me transition through the discomfort of feeling afraid. I was thrilled with the song and how quickly it emerged with relatively no struggle. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was in the “honeymoon phase” of creation –my joy was short-lived. The next day I looked at the lyric sheet and had a very different reaction.

This song is CRAP, I thought. I can’t sing these words with any integrity.

As I dug deeper to examine my 180 degree shift in feelings, I realized the underlying emotion I was experiencing was fear. I was concerned I would never live up to the lyrics.

I took a deep breath, realizing that I had to (at least) get a second opinion of the song. I recorded a rough draft of the song and sent it to my no-nonsense producer Jody Boyd. Jody is a straight shooter who doesn’t mince words. Jody said “Claudia, I like this Fearless song… I think it’s a hit, and furthermore, I think it should be the title track of your next CD!” Being stubborn and still feeling ambivalent about the song, I sent a collection of songs (including Fearless) to my girlfriend Zita to get her feedback. I simply asked her to listen to the collection of songs and provide me feedback. Zita called me the next day as she was driving to work. She said, “Girl… I’m real busy right now, so I got one word for you… FEARLESS!” “What? I stammered.” Zita continued, “In one word, this collection of music is Fearless, and by the way, I love that song!”

I decided that it was time for me to stop the insanity. Despite my trepidation, I realized this new song was an opportunity for me to push outside the comfort zone and declare my freedom over ridiculous fears. I had written a personal manifesto to help me live a more authentic life.

I recorded the song with every ounce of power and liberation I could muster. The vocal was recorded using a vintage microphone (Neumann M-49) that “queen of soul” Aretha Franklin had previously recorded with. Singing into that microphone, there was no doubt in my mind that I was indeed fearless!

Looking back I find it deliciously ironic that I was afraid of this song called Fearless. I am glad I recorded the song because it has served as a reminder to me (on many occasions) to live large and do my best. Many people have shared that the song was helpful to them as they pushed outside their comfort zones. Fearlessness is about giving yourself permission to be the authentic person you were created to be and showing up with courage (even when you’re trembling inside).

This collaborative book Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women tells the fearless journey of twenty-two amazing women and how they overcame the (nagging voice of fear) to step into their fearless, authentic nature. At the heart of each story is a woman consciously walking through uncertainty to become stronger, fuller and more radiant.

I celebrate with them as together we make our lives a work of art.

Claudia Carawan is a positively soulful singer/songwriter and recording artist who specializes in high energy, inspirational music. She has produced two award winning CDs Out of the Blue and Fearless. Her empowering music and YouTube videos are gaining fans from far and wide and give new meaning to the words – POSITIVELY SOULFUL.

Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and Teacher

Claudia also works as a teacher and mentor to at-risk teenagers in a treatment facility. Using music, story-telling and theater Claudia loves to inspire the hip-hop generation and help them discover their creative abilities.

www.claudiacarawan.com

Cultivating Leadership

There was a period in my life where I discovered the rich experience of cultivating leaders vs being the person in charge who had all the answers. The experience of working as a Girl Scout leader for 10 years changed the way I saw my role as a leader and expanded me as a person. I learned that my style of leadership was to find ways of empowering others and create an environment for them grow into being more of who they are. I learned when to stand on the stage and when to stand quietly in the background. I learned how to hold a space for someone’s leadership skills to emerge.

One year, a mother of one of the girls from my troop was organizing a court of awards ceremony at a large community event. Our troop was to provide Girl Scouts and flags from our troop for the ceremony. One of the Junior Girl Scouts named Mariam came to me and said she would like to be in the ceremony. She would like to carry a flag. When I mentioned this to the mother who was organizing the ceremony her immediate response was no because Mariam was too loud and boisterous and would never settle down for this serious ceremony. The mother said that Mariam would embarrass our troop by joking and laughing.

I disagreed with her. She was right about Mariam’s energy being loud and boisterous. Mariam had a big personality and she liked to push this limits. She was oozing with power and enthusiasm and was still learning how to channel it into creativity. She was a very talented artist and was full of life. For five years, I had watched her grow as she learned how to harness and use and direct her personal power. I believed that if she said she wanted be a part of this ceremony she would be able to focus and do the job. I knew my role was to support her and provide another experience that would lead her to become a powerful young woman. It was not to create a perfect ceremony. I stood up for Mariam, talked to the mother about giving each of the girls a chance to develop leadership skills and told her this was an opportunity for Mariam to stretch herself into a new situation. The mother reluctantly agreed.

I talked with Mariam about her desire. I let her know that I believed in her and that I stood up for her. I let her know that it was up to her to show us what she could do. This was her opportunity to be a leader for our troop and in the community.

On the day of the ceremony Mariam was excited and nervous. I gave her a hug, looked her in the eyes, told her I believed in her and encouraged her to enjoy the experience. Serious did not mean she couldn’t have fun and enjoy it. I was so proud of Mariam as I watched her stand up straight and proudly carry the flag. There was a moment when Mariam’s friend Katie, who was carrying a flag in the ceremony and walking next to Mariam, began to giggle. No one ever imagined that Katie would be the one to disrupt the ceremony during a moment of silence in the room. Mariam did not react. She stayed focused on honoring the flag, the ceremony and herself. She led the way and demonstrated a new leadership.

Experiences with the Girl Scouts is what helped me to form the structure for Heal My Voice programs and the Board of Directors for Heal My Voice. Creating environments for women to be leaders in the same space. Excavating desire and fanning the flames of that desire. Witnessing the emergence of a fuller expression of their leadership through writing, speaking and greater visibility on social media. Knowing when to listen, when to speak and when to shout my message from the mountaintop. Being inspired by the brilliant shining lights of women and receiving their inspiration.

(Photo of Authors of Heal My Voice project: Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women. )

I am grateful to all of the Girl Scouts and parents who provided such a rich learning experience for my own leadership to emerge. I am grateful to the women in Heal My Voice programs (over 100 women now!) who have trusted me to hold some of their most vulnerable, precious thoughts as they write a story to heal. In August, I am taking all of those experiences as I travel to Sweden and meet with Heal My Voice Sweden women in person.

What are you noticing with your leadership style? What is shifting and changing? What are your experiences? Post in the comments. We want to hear Your Voice!

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com