Feeling Small

Sometimes I feel small in this world. But even then, my voice can be big.

Author

Michelle Vallet
January 29, 2025

Feeling small doesn’t mean you have to stop using your big voice.

There is a small gray dog in my neighborhood that doesn’t take any shit. I mean, none. Zero. Zip.

He lives in the condo building across the street from mine. Sometimes at night, when I’m taking my own dog for her last walk, I can hear the short, snappy yips start just as we round the corner. Sometimes, for emphasis, he’ll end with a brief howl.

If you happen to catch him out walking, the first thing you notice is he barks nearly the entire way around the block. Squirrel? Bark. Bird. Bark? Another dog? Several barks and maybe some light leash pulling. Wind? Bark. Leaf on sidewalk? Bark. Shadow of a stick? Bark.

You get the idea.

Let me be clear: I adore this dog. I don’t know his name. I don’t know the owners. But every time I hear the high pitched yip, either hidden behind a darkened window or loud and proud on the street, I smile. Sometimes, I laugh.

If you aren’t a dog person (and maybe even if you are), you might be thinking “Damn! That sounds annoying.” Absolutely. I am not this dog’s neighbor and can imagine if I were my adoration might sink just a little (but just a little).

But let me tell you why he makes my day. Every time I see him he’s just going about his business making all the racket he dang well pleases and letting the world know HE IS HERE. In all caps, obviously.

I take him on as one of my personal mascots to remind me that I can and should take up space in this world. In fact, there are more times than not that in these moments we’re facing and will face, I need to take up space.

I need to step in front of the most vulnerable when they need my protection and stand quietly behind them when they need my support. I need a voice primed to shout back and above the harmful noise.

I need a voice tuned to the resistance, joining the chorus of those who believe none of this harm, now or ever, is just or will be done in their name.

I do, however, need to be more thoughtful than my feisty friend. I can’t, as he does, have absolutely no discretion. Sometimes, you have to know what’s worth your roar.

So, my invitation to you today, whether you’re feeling small now or have in the past, is to find something or someone in your life that can be your reminder that YOU ARE HERE. YOU ARE HERE.

YOU ARE HERE.

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