As a young girl in Sunday School class, my mind had wandered and I sat staring out the window.
When the young teacher called me out for not paying attention, I quickly responded that I was bored.
I don’t think she’s spoken to me since.
That may have been the moment I discovered not everyone appreciates my truth.
Early on, I observed how people react with each other, how they respond to conflict, how they deal with difficult topics, stress or anxiety.
When I spoke out about what I saw, I learned that challenging the old ways of doing is often considered betrayal or breaking loyalty.
The world doesn’t appreciate people who tell it like it is.
The ones who point out the cracks in the foundation – in families, workplaces, or in our institutions.
The brave souls willing to expose the rot.
The ones who demand change.
And so they get labelled:
Whistleblower
Informant / Informer
Difficult
Complainant or Complainer
Leaker
Crazy
Rat, snitch, tattletale, troublemaker
Not that I’ve been asked but my preference? Truthteller.
Disruptor has a nice ring to it too.
As I tie up lose ends with my former employer, a member of the management team called to advise they had a letter for me. They could send by courier but maybe I wished to pick it up?
Negatory!
I had a few thoughts to share though.
How employees are treated matters so let’s just say, I spoke my truth. People deserve to feel valued for the work they do and it’s on the employer to create an environment where they can flourish. Employees should feel supported especially during challenging times.
It’s painfully obvious that society is only too content to turn a blind eye to significant issues including the mistreatment of others.
It takes effort to acknowledge change is necessary – even more to do something about it. It’s easier to accept things as they are. Perhaps categorize the one who states the truth as a whiner? One who’s never satisfied?
I’ve been subjected to countless toxic environments I was helpless to change. Those who could rectify the situation instead chose self-preservation and saving face.
Why? Because addressing an issue meant acknowledging the role they played in it.
What establishment (family or institution) wants to be exposed – for failing to acknowledge a serious problem?
It happens all the time. It’s a power move straight from the system playbook. And doesn’t the world consist of a network of systems?
Hollywood. The Royal Family. The Epstein files. The World of Sports. Organized Religion. Corporations. Governments. To list just a few.
Haven’t we all felt let down or hurt by people who denied the truth? Employers, family members and friends who turned a blind eye to bad behaviour? They didn’t fail to see it. They saw, and chose a version of events that were easier to live with.
It’s not that they didn’t know.
Knowing required they sacrificed their comfort.
So they built a story. One where you were labelled difficult, the one who made things complicated.
And the abuser? They became “misunderstood” . The one who had a “hard life”.
In other words, they were keeping their own hands clean.
The most difficult thing about all of this? It isn’t acknowledging the abuse. The world is full of unhealed, angry and miserable people who like to beat others down.
The difficult part is realizing you are part of a system you were never meant to win in.
It was never about protecting us. It was always about protecting themselves from the truth.
Another truth? My voice and my story matters. There’s tremendous freedom that comes from being a teller of truth.
Yes, let’s do it! Raise a little hell (the good kind).
Real estate appraisal was my life for 15 years and I witnessed some of the challenges people face when dealing with property. Now, I’m dealing my plenty of my own as Chris and I prepare my family home for sale seven years after my mother died. You’ll find me on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@lorisinclair9696).
I realize there’s a lot more to unpack than dusty boxes from the alcove.
Time is short. So are my videos. Join me!
