I believe the bravest thing I can do is use my voice. To speak up. To speak out. To just speak my honesty.

Because many times in my life I have had moments where me speaking up was frowned upon.

I think many women have had these moments. Whether in a social situation or work, there is a feeling of “shut up, girlie. don’t go there.”

And sometimes, I was brave and did go there. Sometimes, apple carts got overturned. Sometimes, my apple cart got overturned in the process.

But if I’m honest, many times, I was not brave. As I look at moments in my career, I tried to believe in a higher up’s “knowledge” and stayed quiet only to have things fall. But that’s how I’ve learned. How I’ve grown.

All these moments shaped me into the woman I am now. One I hope is a little braver. A little more ready to stand in her truth. To stand up when others decide to sit out, and speak.

“Ahem. Excuse me… I would like to say something…”

For October, I’m writing in conjunction with 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes and each post is written in five minutes flat.