Thursday, October 24, 2019

Missteps

Once upon a time, I was at an event. The event was a sort of a memorial for someone who died by suicide. At the event, I was speaking with colleagues in the corner and I was speaking about something totally unrelated, in a moment of casual conversation. I then proceeded to tell these colleagues a funny story and said 'just shoot me'... and made a gun, puling trigger hand gesture.

CRINGE-worthy right?
Are you mortified for me? Are you judging me?

Truth-talk - this happened. I am not proud of it. It was a major misstep.

I don't know if any of the guests saw my total lapse in judgement. It may be that it went completely unnoticed... but that's not the point. I shouldn't have done it in the first place; I should never be making that kind of a sign.

And yet, I know I am not alone. Our society is full of these small, innocuous-seeming signs, signals, words, and sayings that creep into everyday vernacular... and it's awful to think of a meaningless hand sign causing someone pain.

A learning moment for sure. And a misstep I've consciously worked through to ensure I don't do it again.

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