I finally found it
I Finally Found It
@shantellewrites August 6, 2025, 9:20pm Nothing can come in between me and writing this piece. I can’t answer a text, nor respond to the email you sent me about loving this quote. Cuz otherwise it might not get written. It might be too unbelievable to a writer with “work-PTSD” (a term coined by me).[1]
The People in this office are United. They are 1.
Annie (1982) | Tomorrow Lyrics
"Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance." ~Verna Myers
They got it. The quote is from the Diversity and Inclusion slides in our elearning. You know every job has a set of digital lessons that bore you to death, but guarantee you at least the first paycheck. These videos are different. These videos match the vibe of the people. The people at this office truly smile at me. The people at this office are all shapes, sizes and colors in all levels of leadership. They are one. Wait a minute, let me go grab what I learned about Unity from my dive into 100 Spiritual Principles.
Unity: Quality or state of not being multiple: oneness.[2]A unity that includes all possible worlds seems to have a greater kind of existence than one that merely exists in all possible worlds.[3] The state of being in agreement and working together.[4]
- Universal: done by all people or things in the world or particular group; applicable to all cases: "universal adult suffrage" · "the incidents caused universal concern"
- Tool or Machine: adjustable to or appropriate for all requirements; not restricted to a single purpose or position.
- Rules: describing or prescribing what is possible or allowable: "the rules of the game were understood" · "those who did break the rules would be dealt with swiftly"
The People in this office are United. They are 1.
Now we are one. I feel a part of. I’m being told I was chosen for a reason and that I belong. I’m not being punished for being smart. Instead, I’m being regarded for my strengths and challenged to go for it each day.
We talk and sit with each other at lunch. We don’t disperse to fast food restaurants and eat in our cars alone. Instead, we set the table with homemade meals and wet our wagging tongues with sparkling water from the bevi.
A Seat at the Table
My trainer lets us know that he will be changing our seats before we arrive to work the next day. We are not just scattered. In fact, he lets us know what to expect each day and each minute. There’s safety in that. There's mutual respect offered. See, after I read a book recommended to me by my first character-developing manager, The One-Minute Manager, I could no longer turn a blind eye to the disrespect of micro-management. All a driven employee needs to know is What needs to be done and When it needs to be done by. Then you let them drive. You let them draw the map to the destination and they may get there sooner than the estimated ETA.
Accountability Teams
When I showed how bright and engaged I am, I got moved off to the side tables to give others a chance to shine. I didn’t have to answer questions anymore, but reflect on new insights and ask questions of my own. The final seating arrangement would be with our accountability teams for the meat of training. I expected to be on the sidelines with weaker teammates to slow me down. I did not expect to be returned to the center. I did not expect to be partnered with another really strong male teammate to help me teach, yet remain a contender. Though I’d resolved the night before not to be a braggard and win the Kahoot quiz again, today I got the win for our team! They didn’t want to use the Core 4 as a team name because our Trainer said it was used, but that’ll always be our name in my heart. I love working with them to my core.
Work-Life Balance
The only thing I have to think about when I get home is how well I played on my team and how I can play better for tomorrow’s game. We don’t even do elearnings after we clock out, and we can rest assured that our clients will be taken care of whether we answer or not. We are all one team.
Wellness and Stretching
I thought they were just pretending to have a health initiative until the elearning described it as part of the first priority of our mission: Safety. I just complained to my daughter about the unnaturalness of sitting at a desk all day. I will once again have a desk that rises to stand with me.
Gifts before Dishonor
And that desk is not my only gift. I was given a laptop, mouse, and a beautiful headset to fully equip me to work from home as well as anyone else. I received a backpack with a charger to transport my supplies. My benefits became active Day One. My time off is pre-approved before it accrues. I can spend holidays at home, pick a floating holiday, and a day for my own wellness. I will use it for its worth to enjoy hot yoga with my daughter.
I have guaranteed commission for the first 3 months as I ramp up, so that I will be naturally motivated –not by some unseen reward, but to keep the honor. I am already worthy and now I feel already seen. Because of this, for the first time in my professional career, I don’t fear tomorrow. I just have to show up.
Annie (1982) | Tomorrow Lyrics
The sun will come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!
Just thinking about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!
When I'm stuck in a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh
The sun will come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You're always a day away
When I'm stuck in a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!
[1] Guess not lol: Why long-term workplace trauma is a real phenomenon
[2] Merriam-Webster
[3] Cambridge Dictionary
[4] Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
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