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Jenna Newell Hiott's avatar

Thank you SO much for this, Louise! Your wisdom always comes through at the perfect time. I hadn't realized, until I read your post, that I have been stuck in a pattern of 'holding my words close' (that's what I call it) because I haven't felt safe to fully express myself in a particular relationship in my life. I've had puzzling dreams about it the last couple nights too. In reading your message, though, feeling that I am so held by all of these supportive forces, makes me see that now is the time to express myself, that it's safe to do so. Thank you, too, for the guided meditation on this. I'm going to listen to it for further insights. Such a blessing!❤️❤️❤️

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Louise Hallam's avatar

So wonderful to hear Jenna, I’ve been working with this medicine for a few weeks and it’s being getting stronger, I’m delighted that you have found a door to your self expression here. ❤️❤️❤️

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

This spoke to me deeply! Especially when you wrote about being, "tied up with ancestral patterns of persecution for speaking up." Persecution is my biggest fear. Something I have been looking at, digging into for some time now. It is a fear that has ruled me a good portion of my life. Till I became aware of it, along with its far reaching roots. It has been quite a process this untying myself from these unruly tentacles. I very much agree, it is entangled with the voice! Being here on Substack is a miracle for me! Before this platform my writing has was more in a form of compliance. But I was inwardly directed here to Substack to give my voice freedom to roam! And as a bonus, I have found other travelers that doing the same, like you! Thank you for what you bring forward and offer!

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Thank you for sharing Julie, those scars do indeed run deep and there are many layers to them. I definitely recognise those patterns and have been doing my own wrestling! I have also found that freedom on here and connected with so many beautiful souls. It feels like the more I express myself the more I am asked to go just that little bit further. It was meant to be. 🙏💫

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

Truly! A growing edge.

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Lyndsay's avatar

Love this Louise! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story and how you came to find your voice. I feel like I've been on a similar journey of late 💜

Here's to more moments of freeing the voice within 💫

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Thank you so much Lyndsay! Absolutely let the journey of discovery and freedom continue. 💫🙏

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Victoria Fann's avatar

This is the first post I read of yours, and after reading it, I feel blessed that I found you. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in this post. It's amazing for those of us who felt shut down as children have found a way to have a voice now. It's been a primary driver of my life, along with helping others find their voices. I look forward to getting to know you!. Blessings to you!

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Absolutely Victoria, I am so grateful for the journey that I’ve been on even when it’s not been easy. I am honoured and blessed that you have found your way here and I felt an instant connection to you, a fellow traveller along the light path. I look forward to getting to know you too. 💫🙏

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Renée Eli, Ph.D.'s avatar

Louise,

What an honor to read this piece. Your voice of vulnerability is a strength, a profound force of wisdom giving voice to the world. There is courage here, which we can all “withness,” meaning be with you and embody, too.

When I was in grad school, I read a book entitled, “The Wounded Researcher.” (Romanyshyn). It transformed my understanding about what we are called to do--that our wounds call us to our work. Which is a radical idea in the world of research, which likes to think itself so objective and wholly unbiased, and can never be fully either! Anyway, this book came to mind as I was reading you. The silencing of your voice, the expression of your own force in the world gets called up in you as a vocation in service to the world. It’s quite profound. Thank you for your courage, and thank for your radical honesty . . . and giving voice to both, and the wisdom that moves through you. It’s quite profound to imagine your voice reaching across the oceans to others now.

With love,

Renée

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Louise Hallam's avatar

I have learnt to embrace this idea more as I’ve understood those wounds and why they were given to me Renee. What you’ve highlighted is my desire and I believe service is to provide those that have similar to know that they can be free too and that these words, deeds and actions give them the permission to do so. It doesn’t stop me from occasionally still questioning the wounds purpose, but gives me a gentle pillow to rest my head against. 🙏💫

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Renée Eli, Ph.D.'s avatar

Yes, a gentle pillow. . . .

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Sam Corrie's avatar

Louise, thank you for this beautiful piece of writing -for sharing your story and for the vulnerable voice that spoke up in that sharing.

Persecution. Speaking out. Fear of what others will think. I have difficulty telling people what I do for a living. I brush it aside, or just say something that I know folk will understand yet says only a tiny portion of who I am and what I do. I cushion it essentially for myself - for fear of persecution. Substack and the beautiful community I have made here has been like a "welcome home" Here I am heard for what I write and I feel so supported.

I am integrating so much at the moment and how I use my voice in the future will be an indication of how I teach this, share this, voice this - not only to myself, yet to my partner, children and to the wider world.

Thank you again.

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Louise Hallam's avatar

That is so true Sam, I recognise this so much. It's something that I have also been working on. For a long time I really couldn't explain what I do out of fear of what other people would think. I too have found that here I have been able to connect with people who not only get it, but support it as well, which is a beautiful thing. Thank you for bringing your wisdom here and your voice. I honour and appreciate you. 🙏

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Sam Corrie's avatar

I honour and appreciate you too. Thank you for all that you share and offer.

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Sam Corrie's avatar

I didn't really know what to expect with Substack, however the community here is amazing and so supportive. So very heart warming.

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Same here Sam, like others it felt like a calling. I feel so blessed to have made the beautiful connections and the support that is here. 🙏💫

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Christine Marie's avatar

SO beautiful Louise. Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty here. This witch wound that most of us women carry is challenging to work through AND i am so happy you are finding ways and opportunities to practice sharing your voice. It is truly a gift ❤️

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Thank you so much for your presence here Christine. I hold up these examples so that others can see that it is possible even if it is their biggest obstacle to overcome. Everyone deserves to be seen and heard. 🙏

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Donna McArthur's avatar

It's only been in the last few years that I came to the realization that I have rarely felt heard in my life. It's fascinating to me how I manifest these situations. It is something I have been actively working on IRL and in my writing. Thank you for sharing your story Louise and for your nudge toward continuing to find my true voice.

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Me too Donna and I’m so pleased that you’ve found it as liberating as I have. I love expressing myself through words, still working on in person!

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Coffee Times's avatar

"set your voice free" and embrace true self-expression as a beacon of light for healing and transformation is powerful. Thank you for sharing your healing meditation and resources for soul alignment.

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