The Oxford English Dictionary defines expression as the action of making one’s thoughts or feelings known.
Tony Calderone referred to expression as the essence of thought. A lot of people pair expression with vulnerability, they think that showing people who they truly are and how they really feel makes them weak, but it doesn’t. Expressing yourself shows people who you are as a person and what your values are.
Judith Wright said, “Feelings or emotions are the universal language and are to be honored. They are the authentic expression of who you are at your deepest place.”
If we are in a dark place, then sometimes all we need to feel better is to get our emotions out there or for someone to listen to us. We don’t need to speak to express ourselves, there are so many more ways to release your pent up emotions (like art, music, exercise, and literature). Chris Martin said that we need to express ourselves because what we reveal, we heal.
In some cases, doing nothing at all can also express how you feel. Speaking and acting can only get you so far, sometimes you just need to take a step back and do nothing to get your message across. Anurag Prakash Ray said, “Sometimes you don’t need words to say something your silence is enough to convey your message.”
We shouldn’t be afraid to express ourselves, because how we feel and how we see things make us who we are. We are all unique, and that is a good thing. New perspectives and new ways of doing things can make a very positive change. Bruce Lee said, “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”
When we have the confidence to express how we feel and to say what is important to us we become stronger and more trustworthy people. We shouldn’t hold back how we feel and what we believe just because someone doesn’t agree with us. Shannon L. Alder said, “Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing it a bit because of someone’s version of reality is not your reality.”
