Good Afternoon ,

"Nothing Haunts Like the Things We Don't Say." Mitch Albom

In 2019 I pulled over to the side of the road to send a text message to my sales team. I was driving a blacked-out Dodge Charger. You know, American Muscle! A white, middle-aged male noticed me, walked up to my driver's side window, and approached me with curiosity (or so I thought). He asked, "Hey, do you live in this neighborhood?" I was a bit taken aback and froze. 

I stammered a bit and said, "Yes. I do." He skeptically asked, "Do you know what that plot of land is being used for?" pointing to an open plot of land across the street. "All the residents in this community were sent an email informing us. Did you not get the email?" 

I replied, "I do not know what you are talking about."

He continued with a smirk, "Well YOUR car..or a car that looked like this, was involved in a bank robbery a couple days ago. Do you know anything about that?"

"I do not sir," I replied. I drove away.

I often reflect on this conversation and judge myself about it. I question, Why didn't I stand up for myself? I knew what he was implying, and I just compiled. Was I afraid? Maybe.

For each of us, the experiences we encounter that make us uncomfortable to the point of silence or minimizing our voices are vast. However, the root causes as to why we don’t speak up are similar: fear of not being accepted or understood. However, if you don’t speak your truth, you create a war within yourself. 

Your truth is important to be expressed regardless if the situation is uncomfortable or not. Be judged for your authenticity versus compliance or avoidance. People will judge you no matter what. Unchallenged power is a recipe for corruption.

So, turn the volume up on the voice that matters, YOURS!