Claron McFadden

"The human voice: mysterious, spontaneous, primal.  For me, the human voice is the vessel on which all emotions travel — except perhaps jealousy.  And the breath, the breath is the captain of that vessel.  A child is born, takes its first breath — and we behold the wondrous beauty of vocal expression — mysterious, spontaneous and primal."

— Claron McFadden

American Musician

1961 -

When I was fifty years old, I finally realized that my voice was a gift.  No, I am not a singer.  I can't even carry a tune.  As a child, I was given the speaking parts in church plays because I had a loud voice.  My gift is my loud voice.  And about 90% of the people in my audiences like it and 10% don't.  I have people tell me they could listen to my voice all day and others who wish I would shut up.  

Remember your voice is the vessel for your emotions.  Take a deep breath and let it out with power, passion and persistence.  Be yourself.

Now, listen to Claron McFadden talk about the human voice and demonstrate its power.

You have read this article American Musician / Claron McFadden / Gift / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/11/claron-mcfadden.html. Thanks!

Dorothy Fadiman

"Each of us is an artist, capable of conceiving and creating a vision from the depths of our being."

— Dorothy Fadiman

American Filmmaker

I believe that every person is capable of creating artistic works.  Some of us may have had our creative impulses damaged as a child by either a parent, a teacher or another child.  Someone somewhere made fun of something we created.  I know I have had those people in my life, but for some reason I kept going.  In fifth grade, I was given the opportunity to write about my class for the weekly newspaper.  Our small town newspaper published a page or two of articles written by school children.  My first article was criticized by the editor as be too much like advertising.  My headlines were too bold.  I was writing ads not journalism.  I never seriously wrote for a newspaper again.

When I was a junior in high school I started writing poetry as a way to express my feelings.  When I was a senior, I submitted a paper composed solely of my poetry in a social studies class.  My English teacher asked me why I had not showed her my poetry.  I had no answer for her.

I believe inside each of us is a need to find an outlet for our creativity.  For some that might be sewing, or cooking, or fixing cars.  For others, our creativity finds its outlet in writing, drawing, painting, singing or acting.  Unfortunately, naysayers have blocked our creative impulses and we must learn to open our creative channels.

Here are clips from one of Dorothy Fadiman's films: Reclaiming Their Voice, Saving the Petroglyphs: Teaser.

You have read this article American Filmmakers / Creative Expression / creativity / Discovery / Dorothy Fadiman / Encouragement / Obstacles / Vision / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/08/dorothy-fadiman.html. Thanks!

Marian Wright Edelman

"Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others."

— Marian Wright Edelman

American Author

and Child's Rights Activist

1939 -

Our world today is filled with man-made noise that drowns out many of sounds that can be heard in nature as well as the voice with in in our hearts.  Many of us cannot go anywhere without our I-Pods, I-Pads and I-phones or their equivalents.  We cannot live without filling our ears with sound.

As writers, musicians and artists we must learn to be quiet.  We must have the self-discipline to shut out the noise from the outside world and learn to listen to the small voice deep inside.  If we learn to hear that small gentle voice, then maybe we will one day be able to hear that voice in others.  We will be able to connect with others through the sounds of our voices.

You have read this article American Writer / Learning / Listening / Marian Wright Edelman / Sacrifice / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/08/marian-wright-edelman.html. Thanks!

Marcel Marceau

"Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?"

— Marcel Marceau

French Actor and Mime

1923 - 2007

Words can not always communicate what we feel.  Sometimes silence is the best response to what happens.  Marcel Marceau was a master of silent communication.  He spoke volumes with movement and facial expressions.  I had the privilege of seeing Marceau perform live in concert in Canada in the late 1960's.  Words cannot describe the power of his performance.

As writers we live and breathe by the word.  In the beginning was the word and we felt whole.  But I have also learned that there is power in silence.  Too many words can confuse the communication.  We need to allow time for silence.  We need to enjoy the silence.  Painters understand silence.  They live in a world of color and shape.  They don't speak.  They breathe silence.

Take a few minutes today and enjoy the silence.  Turn off the TV, the I-Pod and the cell phone. Listen to the wind in the  trees.  Listen to your own breathing.  Listen to the silence.

Here is a video of Marcel Marceau performing.

You have read this article Actor / French Actors / Marcel Marceau / Noise / Silence / Voices / Word with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/08/marcel-marceau.html. Thanks!

Oprah Winfrey

"For all the major moves in my life — to Baltimore, to Chicago, to own my show, and to end it — I've trusted my instincts.  I take in all the information I can gather.  I listen to proposals, ideas, and advice.  Then  I go with my gut, what my heart feels most strongly."

— Oprah Winfrey

American Actress, Television Talk Show Host

1954 -

When making decisions, one should always gather the information and opinions available.  But in the end, when it is decision time, one should listen to one's gut.  One must learn to trust that quiet voice deep inside.  Listening to one's gut requires silence.  At some point, one must shut out the voices sharing their opinions and make up one's own mind.

As artists and writers, this is important advice.  We must learn to trust ourselves.  There are friends, teachers, critics and even strangers who are happy to share their opinions about our creative works.  While it is important that we listen to what they say, we must learn to sort through the garbage and find a few nuggets of truth.  And in the end, we must listen to our own quiet voice telling us what to paint or write.

Here is a short video biography of Oprah Winfrey.

You have read this article American Actors / American Speakers / Creative Work / Decisions / Heart / Intuitive / Learning / Listening / Oprah Winfrey / Silence / trust / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/07/oprah-winfrey.html. Thanks!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Music is the universal language of mankind."

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

American Poet

1807 - 1882

Music is a special art form in that it touches the soul at a deeper level than most of the other arts.  Music can cross language barriers often without translation.  Music connects people in ways that the other arts don't.  When we are happy, we all have a desire to sing with a joyful voice.  When we are sad, our singing gives voice to our melancholy.

In college when I was blue, I would walk along the railroad tracks and sing to myself.  I cannot carry a tune, but when alone I will sing to myself.  Music moves me at a deep level.  

During the last 24 years, I have seen the impact of music on my training classes.  I have the participants of my classes sing and dance as part of the class.  I am amazed at the power of music to break down barriers and cause people to open up and share their thoughts and feelings.

Many writers and artists listen to music when they are creating.  What kind of music do you listen to when you are creating?  What music gets your creative juices flowing?

Here is a video of Carrie Underwood inspiring an audience of country and western singers with her rendition of How Great Thou Art.

You have read this article American Writer / Entertainment / Henry Wadsworth Longfellow / Muse / Music / Rhythm / Singing / song / soul / Spiritual / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/04/henry-wadsworth-longfellow.html. Thanks!

Benjamin Spock

"Trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do."

— Benjamin Spock

American Pediatrician, Author

1903 - 1998

 

Spock wrote these words to the mothers of baby boomers in his best selling book, Baby and Child Care, and he launched a generation.  And his advice is just as important to creative leaders.  As artistic people, we need learn to trust ourselves -- our intuition.  The knowledge we have to write, to draw and to act is inside of us.  We need to learn to hear that small voice when it speaks and then to do what it says.  Too often we second guess ourselves and do what we think we should do.

Believe in yourself.  Believe in your talent.  Believe in your creative gift.  Believe in that small voice deep inside.  If you learn to trust yourself, you will be successful.

You have read this article American Writer / Attitude / Beliefs / Benjamin Spock / Encouragement / faith / trust / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/03/benjamin-spock.html. Thanks!

Marquis de Vauvenargues

"Great thoughts always come from the heart."

— Marquis de Vauvenargues

French Writer

1715 - 1747

The heart is powerful, intelligent and intuitive.  Most of us have been taught that our intelligence resides in our brain, but this is only partially true.  Logical and analytical thinking occurs in the brain.  Intuitive, sensitive and compassionate thinking occurs in the heart.  Often, though, we let our brain override our heart.  We need to learn to listen to voice of our heart as it reveals a deeper truth.  Reason may dominate our thinking, but compassion should govern our actions.  While the brain is busy analyzing the options, the heart knows intuitively what road to take. 

Years of experience have taught me that my heart knows the answer often before the brain has finished its analysis.   I have learned that it is better to trust the small voice inside my heart then the loud voice inside my head.  Do you trust your intuition?  Are you listening to the voice within your heart?

You have read this article Analytical / Compassion / French Writers / Heart / Intuitive / Listening / Logic / Marquis de Vauvenargues / Reason / Thought / trust / truth / Voices with the title Voices. You can bookmark this page URL http://gem-vita.blogspot.com/2011/02/marquis-de-vauvenargues.html. Thanks!