Does the Cat Have Your Tongue?

I have an opinion and I am not afraid to share it.

What about you? Are you a mom who swallows her words, or spits out her opinion?

Remember the days working in corporate America, when we were confident to share our insight, voice our concerns and contribute to the conversation?

What happened to some of us when we had children?

It seems the baby stole our original thoughts and the cat has our tongue. We have become silent.   

Do we fear being labeled or ostracized in the neighborhood if we speak in public?     

I remember attending PTO meetings when I was a rookie mom, listening to women voice their viewpoints on issues of concern. 

Some called them rabble-rousers and constant complainers. The crowd was ready to award them the scarlet “B.”

My coffee mug was half full. I saw them as smart, insightful and knowledgeable.  I was awed that they were willing to just “say it out loud.”  It wasn’t being aggressive, but being assertive. Some spoke with thoughtfully researched information while others used hindsight as their guide.   

They advocated for foreign language classes, full-day kindergarten, innovation in the classroom and grammar drills. They were proponents of change willing to stick their neck out for the common good of all the students and trying to make a difference.

It is a risk to share your opinion in a community, especially if your voice goes against the tide. I have seen the consequences handed out to strong women stating their opinion in the public domain. You can send her home with clipped wings, but don’t forget even caged birds sing.

Like a boy whose voice changes and matures during puberty, my voice became less concerned with being liked and more about saying the “honest thing” when I turned 40.

Yes, I caught the episode of Oprah when she instructed women to listen to your inner voice and share your opinion once the laugh lines of life appear.

It is life lessons. Think about how Dr. Seuss taught us and our children the importance of taking a stand and fighting for what you believe in. The Lorax hopped up on a stump and continued to speak for the trees even when the bulldozers arrived. The Lorax remained true to his convictions and so should we. 

This week we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and his speeches and determination were once again spotlighted. He was a man who took risks and spoke out against the norm in his quest to bring about change.   

Let’s honor our voices and opinions this week. And if your voice is still locked in a box, I hope the next time you listen to the mom “with the big mouth” you will remember the Lorax and Dr. King and support her quest for change.   

It’s just my opinion.