A so-called friend.

I recently had a fleeting reunion with someone from my distant past, back when I was a young, impressionable woman. At the time, I thought we were friends. We worked together in the bustling fashion scene of downtown San Francisco, and they were instrumental in helping me land that job. Now, I’m compelled to recall what had been conveniently tucked away. Oh, how the mind recalls. The featured picture is me, Zalise, in 1985.

You have to believe me when I say I admired this person so much, I thought they were the human version of a goddess—beautiful, flawless, and capable of turning water into wine. I wanted to be as good at my job as they were, so I worked hard.

Turns out, they were more like a secret agent in the friendship world, gathering intel to spill the tea all over later!

I got the boot from that job, not for any wrongdoing, but for having the audacity to speak up for myself.

They secretly hoped I’d trip over my own shoelaces. They were supreme in their own little kingdom, and no one was ever going to snatch that title away. If anyone dared to get too close to take the crown away, they’d whip up a storm of gossip or pull a sneaky prank to keep everyone in check. They were the ultimate at deciding who was in and who was out. And oh, how they cackled at you when you weren’t looking!  Sad.

I got the boot from that job, not for any wrongdoing, but for having the audacity to speak up for myself. I chuckled when I thought about my so-called friend who called me one last time on the day I got the boot, not to see if I was okay or what my next gig was, but to ask if I was plotting a lawsuit against one of the managers.  Was definitely a fishing attempt, right?

I decided to embrace what was ahead. Without looking back, I let go of the negativity from my so-called friend, but I kept the valuable lessons I learned. I began trusting my instincts, loving myself, and seeing the goddess within me.  I prospered!

Sometimes, bumping into someone from your past, even if it’s a bit awkward, can actually be a good thing.

So now, this evening, I found myself face-to-face with this person from my past. I put on my best gracious face, said hello, and introduced them to my husband. We exchanged the usual small talk: “How are you?” “Fine.” “And you?” “Also fine.” “Great to be alive and enjoying life.”  It was like a game of verbal ping-pong, but with awkwardness. I felt a chill in the air. It was clear that time hadn’t exactly melted away all my feelings towards this person. After all, I had not thought of them since the fishing call, so I didn’t have a clue as to how I felt.

Surprisingly, I had no ill feelings left, just a comfortable cautiousness as my mind was taking a trip down memory lane. I was relieved when I heard myself say, “Good to see you, take care,” before my husband and I made our way to a nearby table. I had to force my mind back into the moment, which wasn’t an easy task. Once I shook this off, we went on with our evening and had a wonderful time.

Sometimes, bumping into someone from your past, even if it’s a bit awkward, can actually be a good thing. It’s a great reminder of how far you’ve come, your success, and all the awesome things you have achieved, like joy, positivity, love, and happiness.

Remember, no one can stop you from reaching your goals unless you let them. And when one door closes, there’s always a crack or window waiting for you to explore. It’s all about what you choose to do with that opportunity.

Be Bold and Bloom, be the best you can be every day in every way, no matter what the circumstances are. Be your SuperSelf. Speak up for yourself and others.

Contact Zalise on the Contact Page, write a thoughtful comment in the Comment Section, or leave a message at:  Zalise@beboldandbloom.com | Voice Mail (415) 525-4767