“The VoiceThere is a voice inside of youThat whispers all day long,"I feel this is right for me,I know that this is wrong."No teacher, preacher, parent, friendOr wise man can decideWhat's right for you--just listen toThe voice that speaks inside.”
Analysis
In this poem by Shel Silverstein, the poet emphasizes the importance of listening to one's inner voice when it comes to making decisions. The voice inside each individual serves as a guide, distinct from external influences such as teachers, parents, or friends. By acknowledging and trusting this inner voice, one can find clarity and make choices that align with their true desires. Silverstein's message encourages readers to tune into their own intuition and make decisions based on their personal feelings and values rather than seeking validation or direction from others.
Modern Relevance: The Power of Intuition
In today's fast-paced world, we are often bombarded with external opinions and advice on how to live our lives. However, Shel Silverstein's timeless poem reminds us of the importance of listening to our own inner voice. In a society that values external validation and conformity, trusting our intuition can lead us towards making decisions that align with our true desires and values. Silverstein's message serves as a powerful reminder to tune out the noise and trust our instincts in navigating life's complexities.
Reflection on Inner Voice
"The Voice" by Shel Silverstein emphasizes the importance of listening to and trusting one's own intuition. The poem encourages readers to tune into their inner voice and follow it over the advice of others.
Example 1: During a life-changing decision, Sarah listened to her inner voice and chose to pursue a career in art, despite her parent's disapproval.
Example 2: James ignored the well-meaning advice of his friends and followed the voice inside him that urged him to travel the world. This decision led to new opportunities and personal growth.
Reflection Questions:
In this poem, Shel Silverstein reminds us to listen to our inner voice when making decisions. Here are some reflection questions to ponder:
What does the inner voice represent to you personally? How do you typically tune into or ignore this voice in your daily life?
Think about a time when you followed your inner voice and it led you in the right direction. How did it feel to trust your intuition?
Have there been instances where you ignored your inner voice and later regretted your decision? What did you learn from that experience?
How can you cultivate a deeper connection with your inner voice and practice listening to it more often in your decision-making process?
Similar quotes
“But I know just what it feels like to have a voice in the back of my head, like a face that I hold inside, face that awakes when I close my eyes, face that watches everytime I lie, face that laughs everytime I fall. (It watches EVERYTHING) ... But the face inside is hearing me, right beneath my skin.”
“as a boy when his mother told him to listen to the voice inside him to help him tell the difference between right and wrong, nothing happened. He concluded that "either I was too wicked to have a conscience or too good to need one".”
“The words given voice inside the mind are not always clear, however; they can be gentle and elliptical, what the prophets call the bat qol, the daughter of the voice of God, she who speaks in whispers and half-seen images.”
“I suppose there's no good answer to that, Danny. I wish there was. But if you take the wrong, path, something deep inside you will feel twisted. There are times when that will be the only way to know the right from the wrong.”
“In my head I hear a whisper, or rather the memory of a whisper. The familiar voice is soft, and it warms me from the inside out as it murmurs a name: Charlotte.”