This past Saturday was an exciting opportunity to chat with families about ​My Friend Jack Has Celiac as I set up a table near the entrance of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library and invited passersby to enjoy some gluten-free snacks and talk about celiac. 

Who wants to spend their Saturday morning talking to a stranger about a pesky gastrointestinal/autoimmune disorder?

Honestly, I was afraid the answer to that question was a resounding, "No one." But I was pleasantly surprised when quite a few people were not only polite enough to have a friendly chat, but eagerly asking questions and sharing stories about their own experiences with celiac. 

It was truly a privilege to meet so many friendly and engaging people who were supportive of my new children's book about celiac and brave enough to try some gluten-free snacks. 

It also warmed my heart to see friends like local photographer Britt Smith, the lovely Ann Allison, and my parents Al and Lorraine. 

If you stopped by to chat this past Saturday, thank you for your time and support and I hope you and your family enjoy the new book!

When we carry an untold story, it sort of sits on our shoulders like a weight. 
But when we write what's locked away in our hearts, we let go of burdens  we may not have realized we'd been holding onto. 

Other people who read these stories feel understood as they see their private concerns in the words of a stranger. Worries they've never uttered to another soul are suddenly staring back at them in a book written by a stranger. And as they continue to read, they feel a burden lifted from their souls. The gift of being understood allows them to release the worries they'd been holding onto.

​ So, in more ways than one, our stories carry weight. 

We can choose to bear our stories on our backs for the rest of our lives or we can share so as to release the burden and let it become a blessing to some reader who needs our words. 
​

Everyone is a writer and everyone's story needs to be heard by someone. 
We might be afraid of criticism, but judgmental people can't be avoided. They'll judge someone who's silent for remaining silent.
So, why not speak up?
​Use your voice to share the story that someone else needs to hear.  ​

What do a nagging toothache, a persistent bad smell, and a person with a toxic attitude have in common? For one, they make daily life pretty miserable.

One way to avoid being needlessly impacted by a toxic colleague's attitude is to only be in their presence when absolutely necessary. Avoid spending downtime with them, eating lunch with them, friending them on social media, or giving them access to your personal home number and email address. While you must engage with them at work regarding projects or tasks, there's no reason to do so outside of working hours.
​

​ It's likely that your toxic colleague suffers from a variety of personal problems. An inability to effectively address their personal problems may trigger abusive behaviors. 
Though we may feel empathy for them, it isn't our job to placate them or to try and "fix" them.
​Instead of attempting to please them or heal their emotional wounds, it may be best to respect the boundaries we've established and feel sympathy for them from a safe distance.

Honestly, this last suggestion may not always work.  Before going to HR or to a superior who seems trustworthy, you may want to observe how these individuals handle other problems in the company. Do they solve the problem? Do they sweep it under the rug?
Or does the "whistleblower" somehow manage to get demoted?
If the HR Department and/or superior has a track record of integrity, it's likely a good idea to bring your concerns to them. But if you suspect your complaint will be brushed aside or do nothing more than put a target on your back, it may be time to look for a new job.   

It's no fun to work with unpleasant people, but work is not life. It's simply an aspect of your day, and it's likely you'll eventually leave this job to move on to something better. 

​So, remember to maintain your positive outlook, establish boundaries, avoid getting sucked into a toxic person's drama, and if prudent, mention your concerns to an HR representative or superior who has the power to make positive changes in the workplace. 

I hope some of these tips come in handy and I hope you have a wonderful week!