Compassion in Transition

Dr. Cherry, Quite Contrary #ceowhisperher

There’s a song by Chris Stapleton called “Cold” that captures the raw emotion of loss, change, and unexpected endings. It reminds me that even when relationships, jobs, or seasons of life shift, we still have a choice: to walk away with dignity or to leave behind unnecessary pain.

Right now, many federal employees are facing difficult transitions, not because of personal failures but because of decisions beyond their control. These individuals—who have dedicated their time, energy, and expertise to serving others—deserve more than silence, blame, or disregard. They deserve compassion, dignity, and respect.

They Are More Than Their Jobs

Federal employees are not just workers. They are parents, mentors, veterans, and friends. They are the people who have ensured our systems run, our communities function, and our country remains strong. The sudden loss of a job does not erase the years of service or the impact they have made.

Decisions have been made. This is not about challenging leadership or questioning policies. This is about how we respond to the people affected. This is about the way we care for those navigating uncertainty, the way we acknowledge their service, and the way we choose to treat one another in moments of change.

Check In, Check On, and Check Up

Losing a job is more than a financial hit—it is an emotional and psychological upheaval. Change is hard for anyone, and when it happens unexpectedly or unfairly, it can create deep stress. The human brain craves certainty, and when that certainty is taken away, anxiety rises, fear increases, and people feel lost.

But this is not just about job loss. We are all fighting battles that others cannot see.

• The person who seems distant may be carrying a weight they haven’t shared.
• The friend who hasn’t called back may be struggling with something they can’t yet put into words.
• The coworker who is short-tempered may be dealing with stress that has nothing to do with you.

This is why we must check in, check on, and check up on one another.

• Check in—Send a message, make a call, or simply let someone know you’re thinking of them. Even a small act of kindness can make a difference.
• Check on—Ask how they’re really doing. Not just about jobs or finances, but about their hearts, their stress, and their mental well-being.
• Check up—Follow through. Transitions take time, and so does healing. Don’t let support be a one-time thing. Keep showing up.

A Call for Grace

We don’t have to agree on every decision made, but we do have a choice in how we respond to those who are affected. This is about love, not blame. It is about lifting up, not tearing down. It is about recognizing that no matter how policies shift, people should never be discarded or devalued.

Because everyone is carrying something. Some battles are visible—job loss, illness, grief. Others are silent—anxiety, fear, self-doubt. We may not always see the weight someone is carrying, but we can choose to lighten it with compassion.

To those who have served, helped, and led—we see you. We honor you. We send you love.

And to all who have the power to shape these moments, I ask: Choose kindness. Choose understanding. Choose to honor the humanity in all of us.

If you know someone who has been impacted—reach out. Even the smallest act of care can bring light in uncertain times.

And if you are the one struggling, please know—you are not alone.