The Voice of a Redhead

Hmmmm… I’m sure you are well aware that one stereo type for redheads is their ability to speak their mind and do it fiercely.  I’ve always known that I’m no exception to that rule.  However, I spent a lot of years trying to quell that facet of myself because I thought that a woman should always be sweet tempered and agreeable.  Imagine how flawed I felt when I failed almost daily to be the genteel woman that was my impossible ideal. 

Some time back I realized that I have this personality trait for a reason.  I am meant to speak the truth when the necessity arises.  Here’s something else, I’ve found that it takes more strength to tell the truth than to be agreeable.  To speak truth means being defiant. (Another hallmark of a redhead.)  As a rule, the truth isn’t always welcome; especially if it goes against the accepted norm or expectation.  The truth can cause pain.  With all that at stake, why in the world would anyone choose to be the bearer of truth?

This week I have struggled with that very question.  In this instance, I was really wishing that I could be that sweet agreeable woman who never voiced an opinion.  In fact, I have really been regretting having this trait because this week I was in a situation where I had to speak the truth to a friend that I care deeply about.  I don’t know about you, but I am usually Spirit led by that still small voice that guides me to speak it and it must come out exactly as I get it.  It really hurts me that sometimes I can’t paint hearts and flowers around it to soften the impact especially when it comes to the people in my life.  I would rather die than cause them pain.

Then you get to the interpretation of truth, whose truth is the right one?  That, as you know, is the crux of it all.  Everyone believes their truth to be the correct one and that argument goes around and around like a dog chasing his tail.

I spoke the truth to my friend and as expected it was NOT received with her saying, “Thank you for telling me the truth, I’m so grateful.”  This day, truth cost me a great deal, but what I don't know is what greater good will come of this (if any).  However,  I do know is that even if I never see the result of speaking out, truth ushers in light so illusions can be broken and problems can be solved.  I also know that truth must be delivered by a trusted individual in order to be believed. After all, who are you going to believe your friend or your enemy when the tell you, "Yes, those pants really do make your butt look big?"  My friend absolutely did not like hearing what I had to say and I couldn’t say it in any way that would spare her feelings, but I was the one tasked with delivering the message.  I may not have delivered it well, but I chose the path of truth so I must accept the responsibility of my actions. 

So Redheads our ability to speak up truthfully is not popular or glamorous and it should never be taken lightly because the last thing we want to do is hurt someone, but it is a testament to our strength.  (However, I think I want to improve how I go about it.)  You may be called to solve problems in your neighborhood or heal rifts between nations.  You were called to be strong and you were given the power to initiate change.  How have you used this power?