Say What You Want To Say

Dear Friends,
It seems nonsensical, doesn't it, that a person would need to be told that they can say what they want to say. Surely we all do that anyway?
We really, really don't. Especially if we are English, and thus supremely reserved. Ridiculous as it sounds, people do not just say what they really want to say. That's a simple, well-known and forever disappointing fact. The real question is why.
Often, it's because we are afraid of the consequences of doing what we want and saying what we want - we might get hurt, laughed at, etc. But really, is there anything to be afraid of? Sure, sometimes people just might think you are a bit weird and you might regret it a little bit. But what about the times when you say something you wanted to say, although you weren't sure you should, and something great happens?
I met a guy who had this extraordinary ability to negate all of my inhibitions. I would literally just say whatever the fuck was on my mind when I was with him, even though sometimes that terrified me. My argument to myself was: what have I got to lose? Instead of losing anything, I gained so much, because only good things ever followed my saying what I wanted to say. He didn't judge me, he listened and often agreed with or even loved what I had to say. Hell, once he even kissed me for it. Sure, sometimes in other circumstances I've spoken my mind and it sucked a little bit because I was embarrassed. But the majority of the time, whoever I'm talking to, it's the best and right thing to do, and good things have come of it. So in my experience, the things we stand to gain from being brave and saying what we want to say far outweigh the fears of damaged pride if it doesn't go our way.
Sometimes, saying what we want can have bigger consequences. It can change someone's life, or change the world. If you don't like the way someone is being treated, how about you be the person that speaks up even though it's scary?
My favourite people on TV are actually a couple of news-reporters. There's this one guy on Channel Four News that always asks proper questions that make the asshole he's interviewing squirm. He doesn't say what anybody else wants him to say, he says what he wants to, and it's bloody brilliant to watch.
So if speaking out can be such a good thing, why the hell, people, are you all keeping your mouths shut when you have something you want to say??
Just say it. Because if you want to say it that badly, but are afraid to, it probably needs to be said.