Troublemaker! Who me?

I’ve been labeled during my lifetime, too many times to remember. I’ve been called things that insult, things that hurt and some things that are flattering and lovely to hear.

When you’re opinionated and not shy to speak up for the things you believe in then you better believe that you’re going to step on toes. I’ve been doing that all my life.

I’ve been that person who calls the spade a spade, I’ve been that person, hated for pointing out the truth. I’m honest. I don’t lie. I don’t like to hurt feelings but I’m not afraid to.

I’m not a push over, not by a long shot.

If you want someone who’s going to be quiet in the corner knitting then that’s not me. If you want someone who will stand up for the truth, speak up, speak loudly then I’m your woman. I’m not a girl. I’m not afraid. There are repercussions for being this way but that’s okay. I’ll take my chances with that.

I’ve been labelled a troublemaker. All my life. Why? Because I won’t back down.

Age 15 – parents evening – my mother is told I’m the class trouble maker. Why? because I ask the questions she doesn’t want to answer. Because I ask why.

It may not seem like much but to me, it matters. Don’t tell me I can’t know the truth.

University, we’re not happy. I’m elected to speak up. I’m always the one who speaks up. So you have a title, it’s something fancy like HOD – head of department…. pssssh that doesn’t make you any better than me. I matter.

I matter and my opinions matter. I know that. I was raised to believe that.

Never be the tail, be the head. Never follow, always lead. The tail isn’t found between my legs, my voice is here and I’m not afraid to use it.

A job where people are treated unjustly. I speak up there too. No one likes a loud mouth. That’s okay because those with no voice have been heard. Fast forward, years later, a job where every one is miserable. I’m called aside and labelled a trouble maker. That’s okay too. Change happens.

You see, when you need something, people walk all over you. I’ve never needed a job badly enough that the price was my dignity. I’m lucky. Not everyone is born with the gift I’ve been given. Not everyone wants it either but that’s okay because I stand tall. I stand proud and you’ll never walk all over me.

Not everyone wants to be me but when I look in the mirror I know, you’ll never make me feel small. You’ll never tell me I’m a trouble maker like it’s something to be ashamed of. I was given a voice, I was trained to use it like a weapon.

People who matter, they respect me. They value me and my opinion. Everything I do, I shall do well and I will rise. I’ll never stay at the bottom because they’ll never use me as a ladder to climb.

I’m a trouble maker and I stand tall.

Empowered with my voice.