An Open Letter to the Universe

Dear Universe,

Thank you for presenting me with this lesson again, and for all the similar lessons you've presented me with in the past. Thanks for the wisdom to recognize the patterns, and the hooks to my behavior. It only took 5 weeks this time, instead of 5 years, or 18 years, or whatever large block of time this could have taken from my life.

I've been struggling with what I thought were two things - whether to leave, or whether to stand up for myself. I see now that I need to do both. I refuse to work in an environment where bullying is running rampant. I accept that I need to stand up to this. I also accept that standing up to it will not stop it; the bully is in charge and has no desire/reason to change. I need to take care of myself, and speak the truth. I accept that I deserve to work in a place that better matches my values, beliefs, and working habits.

What this means is that I am actively seeking other employment, and that when I resign, I will not use euphimisms or make up excuses for why I'm leaving. I will write a letter that will go to the director, and also the Library Board, Friends of the Library, Union Representatives, and the county. I will not slink off into the sunset. To protect myself, I will have a job lined up before I resign.

So, dear universe, what I would like from you is a job in a library, one where cooperation, transparency, collegiality, and reasonableness reign supreme. I can see the exit sign now. Please help me find my new entrance.

Yours truly,
XXOOOO