The Perfect Fit

May 28. 2014 3:58 p.m.

Dear Former Editor-in-chief,

“You don't fit with the team. You're like a square peg trying to fit into a tight circle.”

This is what you said to me shortly after I stepped into my new role at your old publication. What you don’t know is that my feelings were shattered because I thought you were right. I thought, ‘What am I doing here? I don’t belong here. I’m so different from the rest of the team.’

Fortunately a co-worker came to my rescue and changed the mood of the pity party I was having for myself. “Maybe he was trying to say that the team is weird and they don’t fit to your personality.”

I felt a little better but every now and again your voice would linger in the back of my mind. “You don’t fit.” Even with my self-doubts I managed to stay true to my personality. I like my sassy ways. I like my vibrant persona. I like that I am not afraid to respectfully speak up when I see something that isn’t quite right.

I can continue to take this as an insult or I can take it as a compliment. You see, I'm not the weird one, the people in that circle are.

Several months later I came across a quote via Twitter by ‏@Tough_Women:
“Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Point taken.

The only reason why I am still here is because I haven’t found the perfect place to shine. But then I realized that the perfect place for me is right here within my spirit.

Sincerely,

T.C.

*Never sent

Co-worker Etiquette

April 11. 2014 11:13 a.m.

Dear Fellow Co-Worker,

With all due respect, your hawking and spitting in the communal kitchen sink is a little unnerving and distracting to some of us in the office. Please know that the sound alone makes some of us queasy.

Also, your hawking and spitting in the garbage bin is very unsanitary, especially for the people who take out our daily garbage. Have you given any thought that they may mistakenly touch the phlegm you produced and disposed in the trash?

Please go to the bathroom. Another option is to quietly clear your throat and then use a tissue or a napkin to quietly spit out your mucus and dispose in your garbage bin.

Sincerely,

Your fellow co-worker.

*This letter was never sent because it was taken to human resources to see if it was okay to place in the co-worker's mailbox or desk. HR decided to take matters into their own hands.