How do I want to be remembered. It is something I think about more and more as I journey into my sixties. It has been an amazing ride so far over the last six decades. I have had wins and losses and everything in between. I have made good choices as well as many I regret. I have been hurt, and I have caused pain, but I have been blessed to have been able to live a life with the opportunity to make a difference.
If my life was a book and each year was a chapter there would be sixty chapters filled with joy and pain, but I would not trade the life I have had nor would I trade the future I have coming. The Blessing for me is that I have been given the opportunity to course correct every day. As my brother Tracy says, “Every day I get up is a new day for redemption.” I take that to heart. I always strive to be better and do better. Some days I succeed and other days I must pick myself off the ground dust off and start again. It is a journey we all take but our journeys are unique to us based on the choices we make. Since 2019 when I began to live my life by honoring dignity it has had an impact on me that has changed my outlook on life.
Back in 2018 I think I was at one of the lowest points in my professional career. I had stepped away from a leadership role because I allowed outside forces to dictate my journey and define who I was. I did not understand at the time, but I allowed people to rob me of my dignity. I had this need to live off the approval of others and I would do whatever it took to obtain that. It was never about right or wrong, it was about the need to be liked and accepted. This all came from my belief since I was young that to be successful, I needed the approval and acceptance from White people. As I write that it seems silly, but it was my reality for probably the first 40 plus years of my life. My life was driven by how I looked instead of trying to become the man my mother raised me to be. Have you ever felt that way?
I am proud of the man I am now. I am proud to say I am the son of Phyllis and the oldest brother to Ken and Tracy, the father of three wonderful children Cassandra, Dakota, and Ant-One, a husband to Erin, and a grandfather to Eli. I would not be where I am today without my family. They loved me unconditionally and I have been blessed.
I talked earlier about my transformation in 2019 that came when I met my colleague and friend Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates who introduced me to the Dignity Model and the author who I consider a mentor Dr. Donna Hicks PhD. It changed how I am as a leader, a father, a son, a brother, a husband, and a friend. I could not hold the role of diversity officer without understanding the importance of honoring the dignity of myself, others, and dedicating it to something higher. As a nurse and a human being my role is to be the voice for those who feel unheard. I do not believe you can honor dignity without that being your driving force. I have met some of the most amazing people who give of themselves every day. It fills my heart with joy, and it drives me to want to be their voice and walk side by side with them as we work to help those in need.
What story will you write today in your life? Whatever it is I hope it brings you joy and gives you the strength to get through your challenges.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month I will end with this quote from the inspirational author and poet Maya Angelou,
“We need Joy as we need air. We need Love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.”
Charles Redd RN
Dignity freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 