“I imagine I’m blowing all the negative emotions I feel into a balloon, then envision it floating away into the sky.”
“After days of these affirmations, I felt able to believe in myself, and in my decision.”
“My inner voice continued to nag at me as I contemplated my potential next move. Should I email Regional anyway?…”
“As Dr. Latting’s work had taught me, I had to interrupt or intervene in old habits of processing thoughts and emotions. Only then could I effectively help the company fulfill its goal of rendering the best possible care to patients.”
“I told myself not to worry too much. Maybe it’ll be a good thing. I’ll get to observe the transition and learn early on whether this agency is going to be a good fit for me.”
“I had fantasies of a devastating laser-focused attack email that would draw blood. I’ve always taken pride in my rapier skills with words. But I didn’t do it. This is why.”
“In my head, I’m saying, What do you mean ‘brother’? If I was your brother, you wouldn’t have treated me like you did.”
“My internal conversation went like this: What is one nervous phone call from me, on her personal time, going to accomplish?”
“Here we go again, I thought to myself. I’ve been through this before. What do I need to do to survive this situation?”
“You remember how scared we were when that veteran threatened to kill William? I really feel like I need to try to get our office situation changed so we can feel safer.”
“What will happen if I call her on it? I asked myself. Celine and my supervisor are friends. Will my supervisor take Celine’s side automatically?”
“Some of these conversations could be rough, very emotional. Sometimes my role was simply holding space for people.”
“I knew the struggle of being a Black woman in the workplace all too well from personal experience.”
“All I’m trying to do, I patiently explained, is understand. I’m not understanding why you’re coming at me this way.”
“Why don’t we just stop right here and call a time out? I suggested in a voice both strong and assertive. The expressions on my two colleagues’ faces told me my statement had startled them.”
“I do appreciate your candor. It’s hard to admit not knowing something, especially when it involves racial issues.”
“It was exciting and humbling to help open dialogue within this organization. People are beginning to understand they really do have a voice, and it matters.”
“Anticipating the skepticism and distrust of the staff I would be supervising, I recognized the importance of being my authentic self.”
“I check myself and the situation and silently ask, Is this me? Is this them? Do I need to pause and reflect? Or should I just speak up?”
