Have you ever hesitated to ask for what you truly need fearing how it might be received, or worse, that it might not be received at all? I’ve been there too.
A while back, I was on a client call when I asked a teammate to add a quick note to a spreadsheet so I’d remember to complete a follow-up task later. It was a simple request. Their response caught me completely off guard:
“Don’t play the age card with me.”
In that moment, my stomach dropped. My chest tightened. I felt hurt, dismissed, and angry all at once. The words stung not just because of what was said, but because of what it represented: a familiar feeling of not being heard or respected.
It would have been easy to push those feelings down and carry on as if nothing happened. That used to be my go-to. Stay quiet, avoid conflict, and pretend it didn’t matter.This time, something in me refused to stay silent.
After giving myself space to ride out the emotional wave, I asked for a private conversation. I took a deep breath and spoke from my heart: I told them how their words had landed and how they made me feel. To my surprise, they hadn’t even realized what they’d said or how it sounded.
That one conversation cleared the air, rebuilt trust, and opened a new door for mutual understanding. I walked away realizing something profound: healing begins with one brave ask.
Why Speaking Up Feels So Hard
Many of us have been dismissed or shamed for expressing our feelings. Over time, those experiences teach us that it’s safer to stay quiet – that our voice might not matter, or that speaking up will only bring more pain.
But speaking up isn’t about confrontation. It’s about connection. It’s about honoring your truth in a way that invites understanding, not division.
When we speak from compassion rather than reaction, we create space for genuine dialogue and often, unexpected healing.
A Gentle Practice for Courageous Asking
If you find yourself facing a moment where you need to speak up, try this:
- Ride the emotional wave. Don’t rush the process. Give yourself time to cool off and breathe.
- Write it out. Complete this sentence: When you said (or did) X, it made me feel Y.
- Breathe into your heart. Let your mind soften. Drop from your thoughts into your heart space.
- Reflect. Ask yourself: When did I first feel this way? What’s the story behind it? Why is it showing up now?
- Forgive. Forgive the situation, anyone involved, and yourself.
- Ask with love. When you’re ready, approach the conversation with compassion, not blame.
When you ask from your heart, energy shifts. Understanding becomes possible.
Shower God Moments
When we ask boldly and listen deeply, Shower God Moments arrive. Those gentle sprinkles of divine light that remind us we’re being guided. They’re the moments when courage, truth, and grace align perfectly, creating space for transformation.
These are not coincidences. They’re confirmations that your soul is in dialogue with life itself.
The Invitation
Ask boldly.
Not from fear or force, but from the grounded knowing that your voice matters. Ask for what you truly want. The opportunity, the support, the understanding, or the next step and trust that life will rise to meet your courage.
You might just be surprised by the light that rushes in when you dare to ask.