Refrigerator Noise

Bonnie Raitt’s fine and eerie song, “Crooked Crown” begins with these lyrics:

I could say what I mean,

(Or I could dance around it)

It would feel good to scream

(I should quiet down)

I could be recognized

(Or I could stay in bed)

Look the world in the eyes

(Or just hang my head)

These words vividly express the frustrations, doubts, and conflicting emotions that arise from opening our full voice.

One current is pulling us to freely express what’s inside us – our gifts, wisdom, emotions, and opinions. Another is tugging us back to the familiar safety of invisibility and muteness.

Many of us yearn for a time when these conflicting voices will melt away once and for all, leaving a pure and unbroken silence in place of all that noise.

Well, that’s a lovely idea, but I wouldn’t sit around waiting for it. Rather, let’s consider the sound of your refrigerator.

When your fridge kicks in, you don’t leap up from whatever you’re doing and shout, “Oh, my heavens, the FRIDGE kicked in!! What could it mean? I must go investigate!”

It’s just background noise to you – part of the sound of home.

So here’s the invitation: treat those yammering messages in your thoughts like refrigerator noise. The more calm and nonplussed you can be in the face of them, the more you’ll be free to express your full voice with ease and pleasure.

About Barbara McAfee

Barbara is a voice coach, singer/songwriter, keynote speaker, and author who merges lessons from 12 years in organization development with the transformational power of sound. Her book, Full Voice: The Art & Practice of Vocal Presence (Berrett-Koehler Publishers) was a #1 Amazon bestseller in Business Communication. The book is based on her 25 years as a voice coach, supporting people from many professions in learning how to access the full power and expression of the voice in service to their work and relationships. Barbara’s musical keynotes blend practical content, sophisticated humor, and thought-provoking questions on topics including voice, leadership, and engagement. She was “the band” for Margaret Wheatley’s Women’s Leadership Revival Tour, which visited 15 North American cities. She also appears with authors Parker Palmer and Peter Block. Barbara has produced seven CD's of mostly original music and is founder of the Morning Star Singers, a volunteer hospice choir in the Twin Cities. She lives across the street from the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

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