“Never separate the lives you live from the words you speak”–Paul Wellstone

I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot lately. I attempt on a daily basis to walk the talk. Of course, there are times when I falter, but a recent life event has truly put this philosophy to the test. The repercussions of living the life I speak have been horrible. I have lost some of the people who are most important to me because of doing what I believe is the right thing–the thing I advocate for on a daily basis. When I faced this difficult decision, I had to look at myself personally and professionally. I had to ask myself, am I willing to take the risks and consequences that I must ask people to do daily? If I am not willing to take the risk of speaking out against wrongdoing, how can I ask others to do so? In the end, I did what I knew I had to do. I know I did the right thing. I have no regrets. Yet, knowing that I did the right thing in the face of all the naysayers, has given me little comfort. I know I cannot be responsible for the actions and thoughts of others. I know that their reactions are typical and expected, but knowing this doesn’t make me feel any better. I’ve been physically sick for weeks. I don’t know how to be normal again