In this life, you need to find your voice. There are steps to doing this. First, take a good look at the world in which you live. Second, take note of the observations that you make. Third, get as much information as you can about what you observe from knowledgeable others, books, the Internet, etc. Fourth, think about what you believe about your researched observation and adopt your thoughts on it. Fifth and finally, if you wish, speak your mind about what you observe, think or feel with authenticity and conviction.

It does not matter what the subject matter is. If it is of interest to you and you have a view on it and you can comment intelligently on it, speak your mind. It may be about your personal life, family, business, politics or culture, speak your mind on it if that is what is necessary and what you choose.

If you live in a democracy, it is especially true that you should speak your mind. A democracy hails freedom as supreme, and among those freedoms democracy hails is the freedom of expression. Freedom means that you can act without internal or external duress. You act because you want to; plain and simple. Freedom means that you act because you want to rather than because force, shame, blame or criticism compels you.

In a democracy, no one has a right to speak with greater freedom than you do. And no one has a right to silence you. Others might speak more or louder, but they don't have a right to speak more freely than you. The fact that someone does not like what you say doesn't quelch your freedom to speak. The only check of your freedom to speak is responsibility.

Responsible speaking, whether audibly or in writing, is speaking checked primarily by absolute truths or personal convictions. To my mind, it is an absolute truth that no one should speak words that are untrue about another person intentionally. You should not lie on someone; that is an abuse of speaking. Another absolute truth is that you should not use your words to misguide or misdirect people deliberately.

Responsible speaking seeks always to uphold truth and advance the betterment of others, even if the words used may seem negative at the time. Beyond absolute truths, responsible speaking seeks to avoid using words that contradict personal beliefs about right or wrong. When this is done, responsible speaking finds the words to correct the same or apologize for the same.

Responsible speaking also recognizes that there is a time to speak. It affirms that silence can be the most articulate expression at any given time. Some people just talk too much and some people just talk out of turn. Some people believe that it is their God-given right to spread rumors and gain a sense of personal power or belonging by being the one to say first, "Chile you hear so and so". There are no laws about spreading rumors but there are is a price eventually to pay for it.

Some people believe that because it takes a quick second to think up something it counts as sense. With recklessness and thoughtlessness, they speak ignorant words with harmful intent. This is not responsible speaking and will in time have its own deleterious effect on them. Talking too much and out of turn is irresponsible speech.

When you find your voice to speak and you use that voice, you will find yourself coming more alive than you ever did. You feel empowered. You gain confidence. You know that you belong in this world and have a say in it. You can help yourself and others with your God-given voice.

You can find meaning and purpose for words and that is enriching and empowering. But for this, know that there will be some people who feel that the only time you should speak is when you speak for them or what they want you to say. Their arrogance and selfishness will never admit to your right to hold your own thoughts and speak your own convictions. They are not mature enough, enlightened enough or aware enough to accept that your choice is your choice and though different than theirs does not make you any less a person or worthy of their ire than their choice might make someone else.

Be sure the critics will come, but speak, find your voice and use it. Be sure the muckrakers will come, but find and use your voice. Be sure that the haters will come, but with love and compassion find your voice and use it. The world is waiting for your voice.

o Zhivargo Laing is a Bahamian economic consultant and former Cabinet minister who represented the Marco City constituency in the House of Assembly.

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