“I can’t hold my tongue – I’ma tell it like it is… Give it to you straight, no chase – I’ma tell it like it is. Look you straight in yo’ face and I’ma tell it like it is…” Ludacris, “Tell It Like It Is,” Release Therapy, 2006

“Do you understand the words that are comin’ outta my mouth?!” Chris Tucker in Rush Hour

ORDER. We have the right to freedom of speech. That is, freedom to say what we feel at any given time, so long as it does not threaten our country right?  Even when it poses some sort of compromise we still have the right to say it, yes? This is one of those environments where the idea of speaking freely is a bit more supported than in other spaces and places. So why don’t we use it more – especially when it comes to our personal lives.  I have to be honest with y’all. I can articulate exactly what I want in the professional environment. It has taken some practice, but I have learned to ask for what I want and to say how I feel about something. But on the personal side?  I struggle. Why don’t we tell our colleagues, family members, and significant others what we want and what we need? People want to know how you feel about them. It’s a natural feeling…our need for personal connection and acceptance.

I challenge you today to SPEAK UP.  I don’t mean UP as in only saying how you feel, but UP as in direction.  Tell someone how you truly feel, but with positive truths people! I’m not challenging you to hurt feelings. I’m encouraging you to spread some love. Leave a note on the mirror for a loved one. Send someone a letter through snail mail. Drop a friendly truth in your colleague’s mailbox. Write a note on a napkin to place in your child’s lunch box. Perhaps, it will cause a chain reaction of love and truth-telling. Just tell it like it is…and if it’s not all good and you must say something, find a nice way to say it. Remember sticks and stones might break your bones, but WORDS will most definitely hurt someone.

THE DDR: If you don’t tell someone how you truly feel, they’ll never know…Don’t bite your tongue, speak freely! Speak truthfully. Speak LOVE.

P.S. Don’t forget to drop me some love in the comment box below 🙂