My Voice Scares Me...But So Does My Silence

When I first started using the hashtag #AshleySpeak, it was a cute ending to a powerful or endearing Facebook post. It had no purpose other than to put a big period at the end of my sentence and thoughts. As the years have progressed, it has turned into a movement, a ministry, and my purpose. I had no idea that almost 12 years ago, one little hashtag would hold so much power. Yet, the thought of using my voice in an arena that was unfamiliar to me both excited and terrified me.

I am a writer by heart, a lover of the pen and paper. When I write, I am an open and blank canvas that is ready and able to use every inch of it to express my thoughts, dreams, and goals. Yet....and yet, I question if my voice, both literally and figuratively is enough. Enough to impact. Enough to bring life to deserted hearts and spirits. Enough to make me enough. The answer to that is yes.

AshleySpeak has purpose and it is to impact, uplift, and support women to walk in their purpose. To see that God has placed greatness into each and every woman in this world. That what is in you, is enough, is needed, and is purposed. Many times people tell me to use my voice because it is needed, and I used to think it was a bunch of bull. I felt that there is someone else more appealing, more needed, and better qualified than me. While that could be true, this is my purpose. I am needed, qualified, and answering the appeal to speak life and purpose to my sisters. To not discard or stifle my voice, because as I have learned...my silence is damaging.

When I have been silent, I have allowed fear, self doubt, and negativity to take up space where I have been needed. I have allowed for my voice to be a mouse whisper, when it should have been a resounding roar. I have allowed for comparison to steal my joy. Well, in this season sis, we are speaking and making noise. I am speaking to the queen in you who is no longer limited, but limitless. It's okay that my voice scares me, because that means I need to go harder, dig deeper, and get louder. I have to not allow silence to take up all the space in my heart and my head, but to stay the course and allow God to use me for His purpose.