“I know how to stand my ground. I know how to speak up. I know how to stand sturdy. But that doesn’t mean I’ve hardened my heart.”

Some of you may have noticed I didn’t post an article last week. But I did record TWO podcasts in the last week in which I talk a lot about Dolly!? I think she’d be OK with the tradeoff.

I have chickened out a handful of times when it comes to writing an article based on this quote. This one is so very packed with hard fought battles, deeply ingrained habits, and, frankly, a whole lot of societal expectations. Today, I’m brave enough to take a stab at it – we’ll see how it goes.

I’ve spent over 30 years in the working world, so far. And I’d be lying if I said I started right out of the chute with the confidence to stand my ground and to speak up. In fact, I probably spent the first 15 years not doing those things nearly enough. Can you imagine? So many years of missed opportunities, of underachievement because I didn’t push for better, of not getting feedback that could have helped me grow faster, of letting someone else’s perspective carry the day even when I knew it wasn’t going to create the best outcome. I’d also be lying if I said that that experience didn’t work on my heart a pretty good bit. It’s easy to get discouraged when you hold back or are silenced. It’s easy to take a ‘tougher’ stance or to sharpen your elbows. It doesn’t make things better, but it is easier.

I’m so grateful for the great mentors and teachers who helped me do the very hard work of learning how to speak up, to hold my position, to stand firm. THAT wasn’t easy, for sure, but boy was it worth it. After all, I got my tender heart back.

Be like Dolly. Protect that soft heart.