One of the most uplifting and empowering experiences I have ever had was being part of Clare Bowditch’s Sing-Song Showtime master-class.

Here’s how Clare describes the experience she offers: Sing Song Show-time is an uplifting one-day master-class in singing, performance, and courage, with ARIA Award Winning musician Clare Bowditch. In the morning, Clare plies you with tea and cake and teaches you everything she knows about singing, performing, and the cultivation of internal courage. In the afternoon, you and Clare and your new choir get dressed up and put on a live show in front of an audience of your most supportive friends and family .

Now, to be clear I am not a good singer. In fact, by husband will often ask me to “please stop” when I am belting out the tunes at home.

But I refuse this let this minor detail stop me from using my voice.

I know that to be happy and healthy, I must feel like I am using my voice to speak my truth and to make a difference.

When I get a sore throat, the first question I ask myself is “What do I need to say that I am not saying?” (of course, these days I will also do a rapid antigen test).

The highlight of my Sing-Song Showtime experience was being part of a choir of voices belting out the chorus Johnny Farnham’s “You’re The Voice”

You’re the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
We’re not gonna sit in silence
We’re not gonna live with fear
This time, we know we all can stand together
With the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better

Having my two young sons in the audience made it even more special. I still get goose-bumps when I think about it.

Oscar Wilde said, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”

I am currently working on bringing my next book into the world (about being true to yourself as a leader). I am lucky to have lots of wonderful support. Recently one of my mentors gave my an excellent piece of advice. He said “Cassie, be a voice, not an echo“.

This has become my writing manta. I am being very intentional about using my voice to express my understanding of the inner game of authentic leadership in a way that is confident and honest. What is emerging from this place of clarity and courage is exciting, and a little bit scary.

On the days when the fear-based voices in my head are particularly loud, I visualise myself at age 85, finally granting myself permission to share my voice with the world. I imagine myself dictating my long-awaited book from my recliner chair, my crooked, arthritic fingers having lost the ability to type.

My opening line would be: ‘Okay, listen up world – Grandma’s got somethin’ to say!’

SELF-FIEDLITY PRACTICE TO PLAY WITH

I invite you to ponder these burning questions designed to help you find the courage to use your voice.

Is it possible that you are the first person in the history of your family to have easy access to the platforms that make it possible to amplify your voice?

What would your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents would have loved to been able to say, if they had been able to?

How might you use your voice to speak your truth or to make a difference on something that really matters?

 

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”

Coco Chanel.