Most people misunderstand empathy. What they call empathy is often self-abandonment, or worse. You absorb other people’s pain. You carry their emotions. You rescue, fix, and over-function. You bleed, and others feed. That may look compassionate, but The Black Book of Power argues that it is frequently driven by ego. The need to be needed….
In relational cultures, the word safe matters deeply. (This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Staying Human may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe are valuable). In a culture of gentleness, as per Gentle Teaching International,…
Spring Cleaning Is Not Gentle Work! Finally, a warm day. The last of the snow is gone, and with it comes that familiar spring energy to open the windows, clear the corners, organize the clutter, and wash away what winter left behind. As I was vacuuming and detailing my car in the driveway, I found…
Reflections on language, culture, and care I recently had the privilege of attending Gentle Teaching Level 3 training at the COR Academy in Regina, SK, and I have been reflecting on one simple but powerful truth: Words matter. Not only what we say, but how we say it. In any home, workplace, or community, the…
Not everyone experiences the workplace the same way. Some people walk in focused and comfortable.Others walk in carrying histories you cannot see. Sexualized stories don’t land as “funny” or “open” for everyone.For some, they land as unsafe. And once that line is crossed, the environment changes. This isn’t about sensitivity. It’s about safety. You don’t…
Staying Human, When Systems Don’t This reflection represents my personal experience and interpretation of events. It is shared as part of an ongoing effort to understand how power, safety, and systems interact in real-world environments. I am not vengeful, but I want my day in court – so to speak… Staying Human is a very…
This is so familiar – and that’s why we don’t see it. (This is so familiar and that’s why I didn’t see it) I thought I was dealing with a workplace issue. An unaware, immature manager with an inflated fragile ego. A series of uncomfortable interactions that didn’t sit right, but it triggered something deep…
Humans were never meant to do life alone. Self-care has been reduced to something small—often framed as a momentary escape or a personal indulgence. A bath, a walk, a quiet hour alone. These things matter, but they are not sufficient to sustain a person who is carrying real responsibility, navigating complex systems, or processing meaningful…
(Staying Human) We Often Look for the Problem in People The immature or unaware leader (manager, parent, supervisor).The silent employee.The incompetent/protected employee.The one who spoke and disrupted the room – or the “acting out” child. But sometimes the issue isn’t any one person. It’s the system they are operating inside. Because there are environments where…
—and made choices (Staying Human) You didn’t all respond the same way. But you knew what was happening. In moments like these, people rarely divide into “good” and “bad.” They divide into something quieter. Those who speak. Those who stay silent. And those who help shape the story that follows. Some of you helped rewrite…
