Everyone wants to be heard. Fighting to be heard is like sprinting to the start of a race. Once you reach the starting point and your voice will finally have the chance to be heard, you then have to decide what you're going to do with that voice. Which words are you going to choose to relay that you think people will listen to, that you think will have an impact and that you think matter. Sometimes people's voices don't carry through as actual voices screaming out to the world. Sometimes they carry through in different ways. Sometimes, the quietest people in the world have the most powerful voices imaginable. People can move in complete silence and yet the steps they take can be heard by anyone that cares to listen and seen by everyone that cares to notice.
I have always been a quiet person. I have learned to find other ways to use my voice without saying things out loud. One of those ways is writing. Writing is my safe space to express myself with time to see things just for myself. I have always preferred to keep my writing private and away from any position where it could be judged by others. This opportunity to write for the Times 91原创 Faith Forum was one of the first times that I have shared my writing with the world. It truly has made me feel like I have a voice, one that deserves to be heard. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to speak out loud in my own way and to let my thoughts be more than just that, floating around in my head. As I take the first steps on the start of a new journey, it is time to say goodbye and return to writing for no one but myself.
The thing about writing just for myself is that it doesn’t have to be anything. It doesn’t have to be good or important or even interesting. No one will ever see it unless I really want them to. There is no pressure. It exists solely for the purpose of releasing the whirlwind of feelings and ideas swirling around in my overwhelmed mind. It is not meant to please or intrigue anyone or necessarily have any kind of profound meaning. So, while I am sad this chapter is ending, I look forward to rediscovering the freedom of writing just for the sake of writing and feeling the way it lifts my soul beyond where anyone else can find it. My personal hideaway, the most peaceful place in the world lays between the ink dripping from my pen, and the paper it glides along.
To anyone that took the precious time out of their day to read even one line of what I wrote, thank you for hearing me. I hope that my words put a smile on your face or at least gave you something to think about. To those who wrote letters to the editor or sent any kind of response to my writing, I am so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for caring enough to share your thoughts. Most importantly, to the people who gave me this opportunity in the first place, thank you for seeing my potential and for believing that my voice is worth hearing.
Qaeeza Ramji is graduating from Reynolds Secondary School in Victoria this year. She is an aspiring writer, poet and fashion designer, and despite her quiet personality, she is passionate about using her voice to bring about positive change. She serves as Director of Youth Engagement for the Victoria World Partnership Walk.
You can read more articles on our interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking, HERE: /blogs/spiritually-speaking
* This article was published in the print edition of the Times 91原创 on Saturday, March 12th 2022
