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Clearing the Air: Healing Begins in the Mirror
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By Rudy Gaskins, January 19, 2024
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As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we often gaze into its expanse with hope, ambition, and the promise of fresh starts. For voice actors, whose craft bridges stories and emotions to the hearts of millions, there is an innate power to heal through the spoken word. But before we extend our voices outward, perhaps this moment calls for an inward reckoning; a deliberate choice to lay down our burdens of resentment, anger, and self-righteousness. This is not a call to forget. Nor is it a mandate to dismiss the wounds we’ve endured. Instead, it is an invitation to forgive, to apologize, and to create space for something greater: freedom.
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Forgiveness, contrary to common belief, is not about exonerating another’s misdeeds. It is a gift we give ourselves. It is a release from the emotional prison that keeps us tethered to pain. Holding onto anger is like clutching a hot coal with the intention of throwing it; we are the ones who get burned. When we forgive, we are not endorsing harm done to us. Instead, we are reclaiming our agency over how we choose to feel and respond. Consider the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
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Similarly, offering an authentic apology when we’ve wronged someone, even if unintentionally, is an act of courage. It signals a willingness to meet our shared humanity with humility. An apology does not guarantee that our gesture will be met with immediate acceptance. However, it opens a door, a possibility for understanding, reconciliation, and growth.
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Psychological studies consistently show the damaging effects of harboring negative feelings. Chronic resentment and anger are correlated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and even physical ailments such as heart disease. Dr. Fred Luskin, Ph.D., a leading researcher on forgiveness, has demonstrated that individuals who actively practice forgiveness experience reduced stress, improved mental health, and a greater sense of life satisfaction. Holding onto grudges creates an invisible weight. It stifles creativity, connection, and joy.
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For those of us in the voice acting community, clearing the air, whether through forgiveness, apology, or empathy, can be transformative. Imagine approaching your work with the lightness of a heart unburdened by old wounds. Imagine the authenticity and depth that could flow into your performances when you speak not just from your talent but from a place of profound connection to humanity.
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History is replete with examples of legendary figures who turned conflict into connection. Take Nelson Mandela, who emerged from 27 years of imprisonment not with vengeance but with a vision for reconciliation. His decision to forgive his oppressors allowed him to unite a fractured nation and become a symbol of peace worldwide. Or consider Maya Angelou, whose poetry and prose emerged from a place of pain yet radiated forgiveness and love, inspiring countless others to heal their own wounds.
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This New Year, let us each take on the personal challenge of clearing our emotional slate. It doesn’t require a grand gesture. Perhaps it’s a quiet acknowledgment to yourself that you’re ready to let go of an old hurt. Or a phone call to someone you’ve lost touch with. Or an olive branch extended to a colleague with whom you’ve had friction. These acts of grace, no matter how small, can ripple outward in ways we cannot predict.
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When we forgive, apologize, or show empathy, we shift not only our perspective but often the perspectives of those around us. We create a culture of understanding and compassion that can inspire others to do the same. For voice actors, who serve as conduits for humanity’s stories, this practice can imbue our work with greater truth and resonance. It allows us to connect with our audiences on a deeper level.
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As we step into this new year, let us carry the promise of forgiveness and empathy not as obligations but as opportunities to lighten our load and illuminate our path. May the courage to forgive, the humility to apologize, and the wisdom to empathize guide us in the months ahead. May this blessing extend to each of you as a gift of freedom, healing, and boundless possibility.
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Happy New Year. May your voice, and your heart, carry the power to heal.
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♦♦♦
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Rudy Gaskins is the CEO and co-founder of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the global community of voice actors and the professionals who contribute to the voice acting industry. He co-created That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo and the Voice Arts® Awards. Rudy is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer and documentary filmmaker, with a career spanning PBS, ABC News, NBC Sports, Court TV, and Food Network. His natural talent for advertising led him to become Vice President of Creative Services at Court TV, after which he founded Push Creative Advertising, offering branding services for major global brands such as American Express, Lexus, NBC Sports, Delta Air Lines, Costco, Food Network, BET, and TV One. He has received numerous awards across the media spectrum, including multiple Telly and Promax awards. Under his leadership, SOVAS has been honored with Special Congressional Recognition from the United States Congress, a Certificate of Merit from the New York State Assembly, and a City Council Citation from The Council of the City of New York.
