I’d heard the horror stories, but it finally happened last weekend --  midway through a 4-day workshop, I lost my voice.

Gone. Poof. Not a sound would come out.

And the timing couldn’t have been worse. 40 people had flown in from all over the country (and the world) to train with me, and I was “powerless” to help them.

Luckily, I have a well-trained and inspirational team that was able to step in and lead the last two days while I had no choice but to surrender to what was happening.

From time to time, I’d pick up the mic to clarify a few things until that was no longer possible and I resorted to typing my feedback for each student on a big screen.

My team joked about becoming the “voice behind the wizard”… as I mourned being a “wizard” without a voice…

But there was a gift in the silence. As there is a gift in every challenge life has ever thrown my way.

In the silence, my thoughts turned to the questions that usually don’t get asked.

I asked myself (in silence of course):

• Where in my life am I not speaking up?

• Where in my life am I unaware of the things I’m saying?

• Where have I criticized or judged myself or others unfairly or unproductively?

When I was really truthful with myself, the answers showed me a few areas where I’d like to grow and evolve. A few areas where v39 of Marisa would like an upgrade. 😉

And, most importantly, I realized what a gift it is to have a voice.

As they say, you don’t fully appreciate what you have until it’s gone. Oh, the things we take for granted every single day!

Your voice is the original instrument.

And with that voice humans have done some pretty incredible things:

• Picture Martin Luther King standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking out over millions of people drawn together by the desire to end the injustice and inequality that still divided our nation:

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

Imagine hearing JFK’s we chose to go to the moon speech at Rice University:

We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win…

• Hear the sound of Alicia Keys voice belting it out like there’s no tomorrow in New York:

In New York; 
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of; There’s nothing you can’t do
Now you’re in New York; 
These streets will make you feel brand new
; Big lights will inspire you
; Let’s hear it for New York!

• Tune into the sound of your mother’s voice singing you to sleep at night

• The sound of your lover’s voice comforting you through every heartbreak and celebrating every success

• Or the moments when you’ve used your voice to change a situation or inspire, empower or influence someone?

The list goes on and on and on… more moments than even Google can catalogue. Seriously.

So right here right now as I sit in silence unable to use the voice that’s shaped my life, I pledge to use this voice of mine to change the world and create the life and relationships I desire.

I know that when I speak my truth I give others permission to speak theirs. And live theirs. To know that they’re not alone and that they matter.

I call this the Authentic Voice Pledge:

• I pledge to never ever ever take my voice for granted
• I pledge to speak my truth and give full voice to the inspiration as it flows through me
• I pledge to authentically express my true voice without holding back
• I pledge to speak up when I want to stand down. For myself. And for others
• I pledge to understand the full power of the words I speak and the words I write
• I pledge to stand up for those who don’t have a voice or feel incapable of sharing theirs
• I pledge to be kind with my words and use my voice to love, uplift and inspire
• I pledge to always use my voice in service of the greater good. To speak to growth and possibility rather than criticism and judgment
• I pledge to take risks with my voice so I can be heard more often, while remaining mindful of hearing and supporting other voices
• I pledge to be more generous with my listening of others when they dare to speak their truth. To provide an encouraging and caring mirror for them to share more deeply and more vulnerably
• I pledge to let my voice rest when I’m tempted to speak out of integrity with my values
•  I pledge to begin a practice of deep listening and deep breathing before speaking
• I pledge to understand the full power of the words I speak and the words I write
• I pledge to speak with conviction and the desire to help
• I pledge to always share my truth and trust that if it inspires one person I’m on purpose.

Huge shout out to my Mentorship students for contributing their thoughts to this pledge as well!

As I explore what these ideas unfold in my life, I’d like to invite you to join me in the Authentic Voice Pledge too.

Let me know if you’re in below in the comments section, and I’d love you to join us at Message to Money LIVE, the yearly event and reunion for my tribe who are committed to finding  their authentic voice and living their message.