The Force of Doubt (ePub)

You are caught off guard. You feel the situation spiralling out of your control. The next thing you know you're smiling weakly as you walk out the door, saying

"You're right, sir. I promise to keep more on top of my work and put in some extra effort.
"

As you close the door behind you, you shake your head and wonder how you could possibly have had the nerve to ask the man for a raise. 
It may take a few days for you to come back to what you originally had in mind when you walked into the boss's office, but you eventually remember all of the good reasons you had for suggesting the raise in the first place.

You are so sure you deserved it. 
You were prepared… with the facts. What happened? 
How did you go from NO to OK in such a short period of time?

* * *

The "force of doubt" is difficult to understand and fight.
It attacks the part of us that would normally protect us.
In the extreme, a very powerful forceful doubt can create a lifetime of deep insecurities.

Today, reaching out to others who disagree with us is exceptionally difficult.
Politically and spiritually we are divided, often with tribal loyalties. Conspiracy theories abound.
It's difficult to know what information is true, and what is real.
There is so much reactionary and forceful negative energy being thrown into the stratosphere.

Learning how to hold your own when there is powerful opposition, anger or criticism thrown at you is essential to thrive.
And that's true, whether you're asking your employer to continue working from home, or for a raise, or negotiating to raise the debt ceiling.

We don't have to agree, and we won't always be right.
Learning how to deal with strong negatives is essential to tackle climate change, racism, sexism and wealth inequality.
World hunger, climate change, systemic racism and oppression are all on the cusp of transformation - even now.

I believe that we are capable of amazing, even miraculous things and I believe we can change the world together.
But there are no guarantees. This book, like all of my art, is a choose your own adventure.
What happens next is up to you.