Have you been heard?

 Women. Traditionally labeled as talkative half of human race,chatterboxes and gossip queens, they are often seen in groups huddled together pouring words out. Most discussions are about clothes,families,fashion and daily lives. Women compare norms they were raised into and ones they had to fit into after marriage with marvelous details. 

I have been privy to many such talks and it was once in a very noisy room that I just asked a lady who spoke endlessly, as to what she really wants from her life. It resulted in a deafening silence. She blinked, stammered and flashed a very uncomfortable smile. The group looked at me with curiosity as I sat plain dressed without any make up and was just listening to the chatter without any verbal contribution till then. I choose not to reveal what followed but it was a turning point in my life. Because I heard the silence not the noise for the very first time and felt unsettled.

It made me wonder about a lot of things around women. We are born to follow rules, adhere to norms , and be subjected to numerous judgments ranging from physical attributes to our conduct in day to day life. Orders fly around from early age and that results in emotional blunting sooner or later. Voice converts to noise in retaliation but the true core goes into hiding. A woman is so used to being told everything,subjecting her feelings to analysis, being questioned and allowing emotions to be wrapped in a set of norms with labels that she soon stops hearing her own self too.. 

If you are a woman reading this, take a pause and reflect. What is your body telling? What does your mind want from you? When was the last time you truly heard yourself? Do not be plagued by the what follows. Its years of trauma that needs to heal, and listening to yourself is just the first step. Once your voice is found, share with your tribe. Encourage them to hear themselves and each other. This begins with you. This begins now.

Lets hear it out!!!