I almost chose another photo because I thought about how this photo may make some people uncomfortable because it’s Malcom X and not Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But I also thought about two things, some people need to be uncomfortable because we are living in uncomfortable times. And the second thing is, we all have a VOICE that wants to be heard and many have a voice that needs to be heard.

The totality of you during this year will challenge you to SPEAK and to SPEAK UP. Before singing, they do voice exercises and maybe even have something warm for their voice. Practice speaking UP. Practice speaking truth. Practice speaking facts over opinions and misinformation in your OWN LIFE FIRST!!!! (Sorry, didn’t mean to raise my voice. I got a little passionate). Challenge your beliefs about yourself, what you have been taught, what you believe AND then if you are brave enough, hope you are, challenge your family if necessary.

Speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves. SPEAK UP. You don’t have to argue with people. Your coworker, mother, father, friend makes a statement about race, culture, gender and you KNOW it’s not right but you don’t say anything. Not a word. I get that in a job situation you may not want to “start anything” but you can at least say, “I don’t think that is appropriate or I don’t think that is correct but, okay Bob or Tranika.” And be done with it. Don’t explain. Just let them know you don’t agree. “I don’t want to discuss it.I just wanted you to know I don’t agree.”

Yeah, this year calling to your voice is going to be tough for some of us. Perhaps, your authentic self is asking to show yourself through your voice. I know I am being challenged to SPEAK on my YouTube platform my true thoughts and beliefs concerning spirituality and religion. And I roll my eyes heavily at the urge. I also, drag my feet to do so. I know people will have something to say but, LET THEM. And LET ME BE FREE AND BE ME. I choose to focus on my people, my tribe that are waiting for me. And it really, really doesn’t matter what other people think. They are free to think and be who they are and so am I. And so are you free, too!

~Nikki