Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster Brown 
You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back in the game. Life is not fair and that is one of the hardest lessons to learn. Failure is when you quit trying in life, not when you encounter setbacks. Setbacks are just the learning curve in life. Remember to see this as a test of fire. When you make a sword it goes into the fire and is heated and beaten into shape. Each time it comes out of the fire the blade is sharper, stronger. So look at these complications as a challenge to overcome. I started off a long time ago as one of the few women in a technical field in "Hollywood" If I was not getting harassed by the men who did not believe a woman should be doing the job, it was the women I had to deal with who resented that I was working with the boys and not in the office with them. Many years and obstacles later, even losing jobs because I was sabotaged by co- workers I am successful and proud of myself because I did it with hard work and not by undermining those I work with. I believe in myself and know that I am a good person. I still come up against obstacles but I look at them as challenges to make me stronger. Do not give up.  |
Hear, hear! I like to think I was tempered by fire, as well. If you think it's tough for a woman in management now, you should have been around in the seventies or earlier, when any woman who was a supervisor or above was regarded as a hardened bi*ch, paid less than men at the same level, and didn't get much respect from superiors or their staff. Fortunately I grew up with parents who didn't use gender as an excuse for low expectations and I went to work not knowing that I was inferior (VBG).
Whatever happened, and believe me, I could tell you stories that would make your hair curl, I stayed true to myself and always did my best work with dignity and a positive attitude. Many of the stinkers I encountered along the way have resigned or been fired, and I'm still here where I wanted to be when I started. I don't engage in gossip or office politics -- but I try very hard not to be uppity about it. When challenged on the topic, I always say I don't ski or play office politics because I stink at both. You wouldn't know to talk to me that I have a tempered steel core, but it's there.