With sweaty palms and a shaky voice, I stood at a pulpit this week speaking to the city council.  The complicated and drawn-out reasons why aren’t important, but I went there with a deep, down-in-the-gut feeling that this needed to be done.  I knew the chances of it going well weren’t good.  Nobody likes to hear they’re doing something wrong, and change doesn’t happen until mistakes are acknowledged.  But there I stood anyway.  Somebody had to, and I was tired of waiting around to see if anybody else would.

Have you ever done that, known something was wrong but held your tongue because you were afraid of the backlash you might receive?  I imagine most of us have.  It’s so much easier to go with the flow than stand up for what you know to be true, especially when you’ll be the only one standing.

I have no idea if things will change, their lack of enthusiasm when I finished doesn’t bode well in my favor, but they can no longer hide behind the guise of omission.  I made my voice heard, and though it was hard, I no longer carry the guilt I did while I stayed silent.

Never fear to do the right thing, even if you have to do it alone.  You’ll live a life less riddled with regret.  Isn’t that incentive enough?