by Mimi Matthews

Several years ago I was struggling with my purpose, my calling, my reason for being. Do you have those deep questions?

I sincerely wanted to know why I was the way I am. So I researched, took some tests, and discovered my strengths. I began to come to terms with my personality of passion and intensity (interpret: loud) and was just beginning to understand what it meant to be an encourager. In my high-energy excitement I’d often tell people what they should or shouldn’t do (interpret: bossy) but I’d begun to have a total shift in my spirit about that.

While I will always be a teacher (if I learn it I teach it) I found myself sharing from experience more and more—from the education of perseverance and having worked through something. The last decade had taught me tons of things and given me way more experience than I would have chosen. And after learning more about myself I finally realized that I was “allowed” to live with great feeling and energy, even if most people I knew did not.

So what does “live loud” have to do with anything? Well, as the old saying goes, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well”. My interpretation for “well” is “loud”, which means to do it wholeheartedly and with passion. If you are going to sing, sing with gusto. If you are going to be a friend, then put your whole heart into it. If you are going to pray, make it worth the time and pray fervently. When you love, love deeply and unconditionally. And when you laugh? Oh my goodness, give it all you’ve got!

Of course, all of this means becoming vulnerable because you must open yourself to listen and feel with your heart. But with practice this becomes a condition in which you live. And wouldn’t you rather have an

effectual life than one that is just marking time, day to day?

Having lived for numerous decades I’d like to add that even though our culture tends toward ageism (discounting a person’s worth and ability because of their age—usually directed at older adults) we don’t have to accept it or believe the lies it promotes. For a lot of my life I worried about whether I’d look silly if I lived out my joy and exuberance. This stemmed from my mom telling me, while growing up, that I did in fact, look silly and that I was “too big to act like that”. She even tried to corral me as I grew into young adulthood. And then I married someone who did the same. You can imagine how that squelched my natural tendency to be joyful!

But now? I say go for it! Wear crazy colors. Laugh full belly laughs. Be passionate about life. Do not diminish yourself and don’t allow others to. Do not become “invisible”! You have quite a lot to offer to some of those who are living without a clue. Make yourself available. Offer your wisdom. Please, be your true self! Many people have commented on my energy, joy, and how they love my laugh (all things I was criticized for in the past!). In a world that seems so oppressed, who knows how you might touch others with your zest for life?

I’d like to encourage you to live deeply, and with gusto (energetically). Don’t shy away from living boldly and loudly! And in that way, whatever you do, you make it count.

Mimi Matthews is in the “encouragement business” as the owner of Empowordment Cards by Mimi. She is also a speaker, workshop leader, writer, and our editor. Visit her shop at www.etsy.com/shop/ EmPOWordmentCards and her blog at www. particularpassions.me.