Be The Voice

Be the voice that stands up for what is right, not what is popular (and typically wrong!) Blog entries are added every Tuesday and Friday. To stay up to date, you can view the latest entries at: http://btvspeakingup.blogspot.com/

[becomethevoice]

Blog Postings Postponed

Due to job and internet situations at the moment, I will be unable to get blog entries posted at the normal times. I will strive to get an entry per week uploaded every Friday evening or Saturday morning, but I cannot promise anything right this second.

As soon as I have a better schedule and internet access, I will let everyone know! Sorry for the inconvenience :(

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Relatable Quotes

[becomethevoice]

Get To Know Someone!

     When it comes to being a voice in this dark world, we are going to have to work together with one another. One person can only do so much, but when people get together and work in one accord, think of how much more we can accomplish? As we go along this journey called life though, we are going to come across an assortment of people; but the key thing to remember is that people are going to disappoint you no matter how much they mean to you, and that is why we MUST BE self motivated!      When it comes to getting to know someone, we need to remember a few key details: People are people, nothing more. Everyone is different--no two individuals are exactly the same. And lastly, Be kind to everyone, for everyone is going through a rough time.      Now when you begin your process of getting to know someone, you need to realize that some people aren't going to be as willing to let you into their lives as others. Don't give up though! Give it time, patience, persistence, love, and a willing and genuine heart/spirit. People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. If you're not willing to sincerely get to know someone, they will recognize that and they won't have any reason to want to let you in on their life or to help be a voice in yours.      Secondly, you need to realize that it is going to require an investment and a sacrifice! You're going to need to do your very best when it comes to getting to know someone, and sometimes that means digging into your own pocket and spending your own money! Sometimes it means giving up one of your days off, or cancelling that "guy's night out." But regardless, we are not able to make a difference in someone else's life unless they know we are doing out best to make a difference!      Lastly, everyone has been hurt by someone or something. Because of this, some people will have a harder time trusting or opening up to you, and you need to accept that fact. Once you realize this, you need to go out of your way to make it known that you're not trying to hurt them, but don't go crazy with trying to let them know this. People just want to be loved, but they want to know it is for the right reasons and not just to get something out of them.      I want to encourage and challenge you reader, to take time and get to know someone new this week. If you're not willing to make a difference in one person's life that you don't know, how are you going to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people who you may never see? Step up to the plate this week, make a difference for someone else, make a new friend while you are at it, and help bring another voice out of the silence! I'm going to; will you?

This blog can be found at our blogspot blog: Get To Know Someone!

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Please, Continue Raising Your Voice!

A new tweet has been posted and the tumblr page has been updated with it.

Please RT, make your own, and lets work together and stand united over the tragedy that's going on in Taiji!

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Smile, It's Friday!

     It's finally here; Friday, the start of the weekend! It's time to celebrate, right? For some people that may be true, but not for everyone. Some people waste their night away with friends; they sleep in late, and don't do anything productive. But to the other people who suffer throughout the week, this is a time for them to get off of the battle field; a time to get from the firing line, and actually get a break from what they are going through.

     Imagine this: You're a soldier in the middle of war; your squad is under attack, yet you don't know where the fire is coming from. Left and right, you see your battle buddies going down. Eventually it comes down to just you, and you're trying to escape with your life. You come across a box of grenades, and have to make a decision: do you fight with what you've got, or do you use your suicide pill and take yourself out? These people who are in a constant battle throughout the week struggle with that decision day in and day out--do they fight to live another day, or do they take an easier way out?

     So, what decision do you make? Some people would say that taking the "easy way out" is a cowardly thing; do you agree? Think about it like this: You are in a constant battle and you see no other option but to take your own life. You are so hurt, battered, and bruised that you don't have the strength left to go on another day. Now is it so cowardly of a choice? If you say yes, then you're not normal or you're not doing your job as a responsible person! If someone feels like taking their own life is the only reasonable choice they have left, then we have failed that person. This is the reason for Be The Voice!

     Be The Voice isn't just another blog about bullying or self-abuse/suicide awareness; rather, it is a blog about standing up and speaking out for what is right! It is about making a difference in our neighborhoods, in our communities, and wherever we go! It is about helping other people to realize that this life has more to offer than what they are experiencing, and that we need to work together to help others who are struggling realize that they DO have a purpose, and that they MEAN something!

     So I leave you with one question: What choice do you make? Are you going to keep on fighting another day, or are you going to opt out of this life? Share a smile with someone this weekend, and help make the difference in someone's life that helps them decide to keep living their life!

This blog entry can be found at our blogspot blog: Smile, It's Friday!

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The "Call to Action" Is NOW!

"Be The Voice" isn't here just to post blogs, gather followers/likes, and then move on! NO, we are here rather to make a difference in our lives, and the lives of those around us!

At the top of our blog page you can see a tweet we posted about taiji and the cove dolphins and the situation that is going on there. If you could, please retweet it for us, and even consider making your own! If you do, give us a link and we will RT it for you!

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"You need to bond with yourself; find peace within because at the end of the day; you are going to be your best friend no matter who your close with." -Emily R. (A co-worker)

     Just as my co-worker said this to me, I want to pass it along to you! The biggest thing that everyone needs to remember is this: YOU MUST BE SELF-MOTIVATED! People are always going to fail us, but if we are self-motivated, it isn't going to do us a lick of good. When it comes to being a voice, we need to remember that we are setting ourselves up with a big red bullseye. Everyone is going to see it, but not many are going to help protect what comes toward it.

"This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble." - Ludwig van Beethoven

     Opposition is going to come; trials and tribulations are going to come; you're constantly going to see the face of trouble and danger; but this is the price that we will pay for choosing to take a stand for what is right, and to Be The Voice for those who can't speak up for themselves. Just think of how many lives would be saved and changed if people would start speaking up for not only themselves again, but for what is right and just?

     I do my best to be steadfast in my beliefs, but I am merely human (though don't let that be seen as an excuse to justify my faults and shortcomings!) And it seems that the harder I push to defend something, the more opposition I get. I'm sure you know what I am talking about; but it is during those times when things seem unbearable that we need to negotiate with ourselves and find that extra bit of strength to keep pushing forward!

     In closing, let me say this: People are going to remember us by two things:

The impact/mark that we leave behind, and

The way that we live our lives now

     Someone is always watching us, whether we want them to do so or not. That is why it is important to make each decision we make very carefully. Our lifestyle is going to directly impact someone to live like us; do you want someone else doing what you're doing? And when we leave the area that we were just at, do we wan't people to carry on the torch that we left burning, or do we want them to blow it out and say don't follow our example? Let us take a stand, carry the torch, and Be The Voice that others need us to be! 

This blog entry can be found at our blogspot blog: Be True To You!

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Share A Genuine Smile!

..right now, tumblr is destroying my blog when I try to upload it. Remember that all the blog entries (including the most current entry) can be found at our blogspot blog. To see the poem that is suppose to go with this blog, go to: Share A Genuine Smile!

Depression sucks; yet so many people struggle from it, because they feel like no one cares. They feel like no one pays attention or listens to them; or that even their family doesn't love or appreciate them. Take time today to share a genuine smile with someone. Everyone is hurting, but your smile could be just the thing that someone needs to brighten their day.

Being someone who struggles from depression, I know what it is like to wear a fake smile. I do it way more than I should, too. But it's when I go down for the count that I remember all the people who are counting on me, and that is what gives me the fire to keep on going. That is what gives me my voice!

People are going to fail you, and they won't always be there for you. BUT! Someone is always counting on you, and your actions will either help them or hurt them. Be the voice that will encourage someone else to take a stand today for what is right!

[becomethevoice]

If you love them, make sure to buckle them!

[becomethevoice]

New Year's Resolutions, or Revolutions?

     This past Sunday morning, my pastor preached a message titled "New Year's Resolutions, or Revolutions?" His driving point focused on the fact that too many Christians are just selling out to whatever makes them comfortable, and we aren't being sold-out to who we truly are and what we truly believe in. He also gave us the definition of the two words (resolutions and revolutions,) which are as follows according to the website: http://www.merriam-webster.com/

res·o·lu·tion

noun \ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\

: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something

rev·o·lu·tion

noun \ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən\

: a sudden, extreme, or complete change in the way people live, work, etc.

      I hate to recap over New Year's Resolutions with this only being the second blog, but I think this driving point is more than acceptable to be given to you readers. We go through life, year after year, and we make these resolutions (or as some people would say, setting small goals and achieving them rather than year-long commitments.) After reviewing the definitions above though, what are we really doing when we make these resolutions?

    In all honesty, we are simply looking for answers to make us into someone that we want to be. The truth of the matter is though, we need to quit looking for answers and start being the answer! The moment we decide to change our attitude and start being the person we want to be, the better we will be. And the sooner that we decide that we are going to stand up for what is right and quit silencing ourselves when we see something unruly going on, the better our communities (and cities, then states, and finally the country) will become!

      We all have a voice, but it is up to you to decide what you're going to do with it. Too many people use their voice for wrong unfortunately, and push to silence those who strive towards success and doing good. Why don't you decide that you're not going to resolve to speak up eventually, and just make the revolution to speak up starting right now! Will you?

  This blog entry can be found at our blogspot blog: New Year's Resolutions, Or Revolutions?

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A New Year, A New You!

The year 2013 is gone; it is in the past. It is over, and we cannot go back to it no matter how much we'd like to or how hard we try to. For some, it was filled with disappointments; for others, grief and sorrow; and for others, joy and happiness. Regardless of what 2013 had in store for you, it is time to move on.

It is now officially 2014, meaning it is A NEW YEAR! With every new year comes the "New Year's Resolutions". But before you begin making any of these resolutions, I want you to think about these three simple thoughts:

I. Who does my resolution affect?

II. Why am I making this resolution?

III. What am I going to do to ensure the success/completion of my resolution?

The mission or purpose of "Be The Voice" is to help give others a voice. It is to help spark a flame inside each and every one of us, and to help us speak out for what we believe in. If I can get one more person to speak up, then this was a total success. Why? Because it all starts with one person, and that one person is YOU!

As the years go by, less and less speak out for what they believe in; and in doing so, more and more of our freedoms and liberties are stripped from us until we are non-existent. It's just like the poem "First They Came..." for instance (link on the main page of the blog.) If we do not speak out when the call arises, then we sign away our voice to the silence (and ultimately, our freedom to live.)

So I ask you in closing with the first blog (both now, and of the year): What are your resolutions? Who will they affect? Why are you making those resolutions? And how are you going to go about to make sure you fulfill your resolutions? I want to start a movement that will encourage others to find their voice, and own it! Will you join me in this quest?

This blog entry can be found at our blogspot blog: A New Year, A New You!