“The Voice
There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
“I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong.”
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What’s right for you–just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.”
― Shel Silverstein
We spend our lives drowning in a sea of opinions. From the “shoulds” of our social feeds to the expectations
of our peers, the world is very loud about who you ought to be. But what if the blueprint for your greatest contribution isn’t found in a textbook or a trending topic, but in a whisper?
Shel Silverstein’s poem, “The Voice,” serves as a profound reminder that our moral compass is built-in.
“No teacher, preacher, parent, friend / Or wise man can decide / What’s right for you—just listen to / The voice that speaks inside.”
Being a force for good doesn’t always mean following a pre-written manual. It means having the courage to listen when that inner voice tells you that an injustice needs correcting, or that a small act of kindness is required, even if no one else is doing it. When you align your actions with that internal “rightness,” you move from being a spectator to a difference-maker. You stop asking for permission to be kind and start acting on conviction.
The world doesn’t need more echoes; it needs your unique, authentic resonance. When you trust that voice, you don’t just improve your own life—you light the way for others to do the same.
How to Use This Today
- The 5-Second Pause: Before agreeing to a commitment or making a judgment, pause for five seconds to check in with your “inner whisper.” Does it feel expansive (right) or restrictive (wrong)?
- Audit Your Influences: Identify one area where you are following a “wise man’s” advice instead of your own intuition. Reclaim one small decision based purely on your own values.
- Act on the “Nudge”: The next time you feel a sudden, quiet urge to help someone or speak up, do it immediately. Treat that voice as an executive command rather than a suggestion.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” — Steve Jobs