If I had to
describe this week in a couple of words, I would go with “tough love”. It has
been a rough time in my life personally and professionally. I began the week
with a tough encounter with my closest friend, which made me realize just how
long you will hold back negative emotions to avoid hurting the people you love.
Later, I found myself struggling to write my reflection paper because I really
feel like I could make constructive suggestions for the organization, but I have
been too outspoken in other jobs and it hasn’t served me well. Who am I to come
in for twelve weeks and make suggestions? Is it just risk that stands little
chance of paying off?
All the while, I
keep thinking about growth. William Butler Yeats said, “Happiness is neither
virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy
when we are growing.” I find this to be profoundly true in many aspects of my
life. For example, the encounter with my friend is allowing us to move forward
when my holding back had only rendered us stagnant. In my work, I have managed
to burn a few bridges, but I’ve also prompted growth when I’ve spoken up. I
certainly can’t say whether my suggestions will be beneficial, or if their implementation
will be possible, but if I enter into the conversation with the growth of the
organization in mind, I think that the staff will see that my intention is well
placed. I’m optimistic!
I simply must end
this post with a quote from our Business Manager. “Life is an amorphous blob
that is constantly changing ... But there will always be hot dogs.”
