.webp){kind=logo}
Perform: Spread the Love
.webp)
Valentine's Day has never been my favorite holiday. I find the idea that -- on this one day -- we will declare love, odd.
So imagine my surprise at being enthusiastic today. This is because, this year, I had a plan. All week, I have been sharing love with others, people I don't know. And I mean that I, an unrepentant introvert, have been talking to strangers. Wishing them well, greeting them with a genuine interest, connecting in small ways with all sorts of people. I have also been paying genuine compliments to people I know. Acknowledging their strengths, sure, but mostly making sure they know that I see them.
The result has made me a bit of a believer in Valentine's Day. I definitely feel the love. So here is my challenge to you. Are you willing to take your amazing human heart and share it with other humans? To make your words line up from a real place. Making "thank you" less reactive and more true gratitude, for example. Not just with people you know and love, but with any human.
Radical humanity is on the menu. Go ahead and spread the love.
Thank you for reading. I love you all - truly.
Sign up for the GROW Voice newsletter to receive updates on new blog posts, upcoming workshops, and voice training resources delivered directly to your inbox.
Related posts
What Happens in Vagus Part 2: Five Ways to Find Your Vocal Sweet Spot
This follow-up post delivers five evidence-based techniques for balancing your nervous system before, during, and after high-stakes speaking situations. Learn quick regulation methods like the Physiological Sigh (30 seconds) and Micro-Orienting (15 seconds) for in-the-moment reset, plus foundational practices like Coherent Breathing and the Voo Sound for vocal-specific nervous system preparation. Based on research from Stephen Porges, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk, these tools help speakers achieve "calm intensity" - the optimal state of high arousal matched with high regulation for dynamic, engaging performance.
When Voices Disappear: The True Cost of Silencing Ourselves in Collaboration
In "When Voices Disappear: The True Cost of Silencing Ourselves in Collaboration," I examine how we often diminish our voices in collaborative settings, believing we're serving the team when we're actually limiting everyone's potential. Inspired by a revealing moment on Project Runway, this post challenges the false binary between harmony and discord, offering a more powerful alternative: bringing our full "voltage" while remaining curious about others. Learn a simple five-step practice to maintain your authentic voice in your next collaborative project.
