Voice – The Original Information Superhighway

In the days before the printing press, most information in the world was conveyed through the oral tradition.

Imagine how important the voice was in those times.  There were dire consequences if you didn’t adequately:

•  transmit information about hunting and gathering food, enduring seasonal changes, building shelter, and navigating the landscape;

•  communicate the stories that formed your people’s culture;

•  convey the critical rituals of your spiritual tradition; or

•  instruct your children about what was expected of them.

Our species’ more recent dependence on the written word has eroded the value we put on the way we speak.

Here’s the funny thing – your voice is still an information superhighway.

Just by listening to the sound of your voice, people can determine all kinds of things about you:

•  age

•  mood

•  gender

•  energy level

•  educational background

•  region where you grew up

•  state of health

They can often tell if you really mean what you’re saying.  And you can tell when someone on the other end of the phone is distracted while they’re talking to you, right?

The ancient skill of speaking intentionally is still in our DNA.
As is our ability to deeply listen to what’s underneath each other’s words.

Try this: as you listen to people today, notice how much information you are picking up just from the sound of their voices.