“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Have you ever said anything out of anger and wished you could take it back? I think we all have at some point in our lives. Most of us never intend to hurt anyone but we all have at some time in our lives. When we honor dignity, and we make it our practice, then in those movements when we forget we do what we can to right the wrong and in turn help heal that hurt we caused not only to the person whose dignity we violated but also the harm to our own dignity.
Dr. Donna Hicks in her book “Leading with Dignity” talks about the importance of understanding who we are. She talks about everyone taking an inventory of our life to discover those dignity violations that affect how we respond to the challenges in our lives. I used to live under the philosophy of getting them before they got me. I left a trail of pain because I thought I was protecting myself from hurt but what I was really doing was hurting others as well as hurting myself.
It is a reality check when you look back on your life through the lens of the 10 Essentials of Dignity and you discover your pain, but you also realize the pain you caused. I have lost many relationships in my life and many I will never get back. I have had the opportunity over the last 5 years to begin the process of healing by reaching out to those I have hurt. It has been and continues to be one of the most difficult journeys of my life, but it has changed me as a person and a leader.
This journey has taught me to lead with empathy and it has allowed me to be vulnerable, which to me are my strengths and not my weaknesses. Over the last 3 years I have grown to become a better leader. I understand how important it is to connect to my dignity, the dignity of others, and the dignity of something higher. I cannot tell you how many times I have listen to or read Dr. Hicks’ book but each time I learn something new. I learn that I must continue to work and share the power of honoring dignity. I must know my triggers and be mindful in my interactions with others, especially when we disagree. I am not perfect by any means. I continue to make mistakes, but I learn from them, and I do my best to correct any wrongs I may have made.
“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” Maya Angelou
Not much more I can add to that.
Stay strong all my healthcare peers.
I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 