Dearest Reader,
I had the most powerful conversation with my uncle recently. He shared a story from his childhood during the Jim Crow era—an experience that still lingers in his heart. While I won’t share his story here, it reminded me of something deeper: how silence has been passed down as a survival mechanism.
It made me think about how often we hold back parts of ourselves—our dreams, our voices, our truths—in order to feel safe. We suppress, we shrink, we stay small.
But what is that silence costing us?
I’ve been there myself, holding back in my writing, in my work, even in my private thoughts. Afraid of being seen, afraid of being “too much.” And yet, the more I step into the fullness of who I am, the more I realize this:
Living out loud is the antidote to staying small.
What about you?
What dreams are sitting quietly inside of you? What truths are you holding back, waiting for the “right time” to share?
- Is it that book you’ve been meaning to write?
- The podcast you want to launch?
- The business you’ve dreamed of building?
- Or simply being the most unapologetic, open-hearted version of yourself?
We all have stories to share, gifts to offer, and wisdom to impart that can make this world better. The question is: What’s holding you back?
As we move into this season of reflection, I invite you to take a moment. Lean into your dreams, speak your truths—even if it’s only to yourself for now—and imagine what life would look like if you gave yourself permission to go all in.
Let the year ahead be different. Let it be bold, brave, and unapologetic.
Let this next chapter be AUDACIOUS.
With love and intention,
Monica Wisdom
