“Your voice is worth hearing.” When you look around you, it may seem that there are not many people who need this encouragement. Few people hesitate to speak their mind. Yet I believe that there are also people who are too quiet. People who don’t make themselves be heard enough.

In our noisy society, shyness and modesty seem to be a merit. But shyness can get in the way. We often see shyness as a trait and we accept it. “I just don’t talk so easily.” I recently heard a rabbi* talk about this. He noted that many people easily accept their shyness, while proactively addressing other ailments. For example, teenagers buy all kinds of products to fight acne. They don’t say, “I am a pimply person,” but they put a lot of energy and money into reducing pimples. There are countless examples to think of, but when it comes to shyness, we just leave it as it is. How is that possible? Do we think that nothing can be done about it?

The rabbi that I heard is of the opinion that there is certainly something to be done about shyness. He even gave a few tips: Force yourself to chat with the neighbors. The more often you cross that threshold, the lower the threshold becomes. The tip that has stayed with me the most is this: Read aloud from a good book two or three times a week. Maybe even the good book. If you make this a habit, it seems to do wonders for your oral communication skills and for your audacity.

It’s okay to be a quiet or peaceful person. It is not okay to want to say things, but not being able or daring. I used to be very shy. When I was in Israel four years ago, someone** said to me, “Talk a little louder. Your voice is worth hearing!” That really touched me and it still does. These words still regularly resound in my head and in my heart. Your voice is worth hearing. I have decided to speak up. Will you speak to me?

Elske

P.S. Watch a video study here about the Hebrew word for telling.

*Rabbi Daniel Lapin

**Bart Repko

 

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