Never give anyone the power to take your voice away. That’s something #Ariel taught me from a very young age. She had to learn that the hard way, and in a way, so did I. I’ve always wanted to be exactly who I am, but even though I’ve never wanted to be anyone else (yes, I know, ironic to hear from a cosplayer 😉), I’ve felt pressure to fit into the box others wanted me in. I tried to squeeze my limbs into the shape that makes THEM more comfortable, but it’s never comfortable for the one living in only one dimension, cramped, with the lid on tight-diminishing their light. I guess what I’m trying to say is,⠀ ⠀ Don’t ever succumb to the pressure to be LESS of yourself: Less of Who You Are. We hear people telling us all the time that we are “enough.” And we are. That’s very true. But what I want to tell you today is that you are MORE than enough: You are A LOT. Especially if you’re creatively driven, & full of emotions (like me 😆). And that’s not a bad thing. You are YOU for a reason, and I think the more we embrace all the things that make us truly ourselves, the closer we come to living our life’s purpose. What might seem like challenges to overcome can often be gifts in disguise. (Like Elsa, & her ice powers!) ⠀ ⠀ Don’t make yourself small to fit into someone else’s box. These squares on a screen will NEVER be big enough to hold all of who you are. Don’t let them dictate your future. You have the reigns. You can visualize your destination. And you can be in control of your own life. I choose to seek God, in my faith, to guide me. I believe the One who made me knows best, but He has given us all free will. And in the end, it’s up to us. My biggest takeaway from navigating through a very dark time was a clear message from the Lord, telling me that “my voice” isn’t just my singing voice. It’s much more than that. It’s my story, my mission, my purpose. I am no longer silent, but free to sing, free to speak, and free to be completely myself. ⠀ ⠀ Have you ever let someone else take your voice away? Have you found yourself inside a box? How did you overcome those things? I would love to hear your stories, if you’re open to sharing, in the comments below. ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B-yS8yKgcRr/?igshid=1b4snb78668pu
