Y is for YAWP

I was 13 years old the year that I found myself in the midst of a set of clique of girls.  Jennifer, Betsy, Erin, and me.  Every slumber party, whatever the occasion (or sometimes none at all), found us at each other's houses, gorging ourselves on Cool Ranch Doritos, Double Stuff Oreos, and A&W Root Beer.  We talked about school, giggled over the boys we liked, and watched the same set of movies: Top Gun, Beaches, Steel Magnolias, and Dead Poets Society. 

Oh how we loved Dead Poets Society.  Partly it was probably the cute boys. Partly it was that it was funny in parts, sad in parts. But, I think mostly it just touched us. It made us cry. It made us think. It made us feel.  Even today...  I watched this, and I cried.

Did you watch it? If you didn't, go back and really listen to it.  Even if you've seen it before.

There's something about it, isn't there? Something that is so powerful that it speaks, not only to the 13-year-old girl that I was, but the 30-something woman and mom that I am today. I believe that we all have that in us, don't you? The barbaric yawp, only most of us keep it covered up and hidden in some way. Maybe we believe it isn't there. Maybe we doubt it.  Maybe we're so afraid that others will laugh at us or not understand or think that we're stupid and worthless that we never allow it expression. WHAT IF IT SUCKS?  And then everyone will know. Everyone will know that we have this yawp inside of us and they will know it completely lacks worth.

Only no.

What we don't know is that the yawp is amazing.  It's really amazing.  When we finally find the guts to let it slip out, when we stop worrying about what other people are going to think of us, when we stop keeping it locked up, it slips out.  It slips out and lets itself be known, and that look on Robert Sean Leonard's face in the last seconds of the clip?  THAT is what people have for us.  Not ridicule, not laughter, not belief that we're idiots.

It's amazement.  It's "I had no idea that was inside of her." It's awe.

That is what is waiting for us.  That is what is waiting at the end of our YAWP's expression.  And isn't that incredible?  It's waiting for YOU.  Don't be afraid of it.  Stand up and yell it, for it is what you were meant to do and be.

Don't be afraid.

Sound your barbaric yawp.  Mr Keating would be proud.  O Captain my Captain.