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In the intricate tapestry of existence, where each thread represents our thoughts, feelings, and choices, we hold the power to weave the masterpiece of our lives. This empowering realization starts with a simple, yet profound affirmation: “I am in control of my thoughts, feelings, and choices.” It serves as a beacon, guiding us through the fog of doubt and uncertainty, towards a horizon where we acknowledge ourselves as the architects of our reality.
I remember years ago while in college studying Computational Mathematics, working to debug a program in the computer lab. Two boys from my class were working on the same problem. As we worked diligently all night we would stop and compare our results. Our professor had a ‘hands in your pockets rule’, students could discuss programs, homework and results but keep your hands in your pockets. You should be able to recite back the code verbatim if your code matched any other student.
Comparing our results it was found that the two boys code matched whereas mine differed. I spent hours trying to find anything wrong with no results. The next day I showed up at the professor’s door to ask what was wrong with my code…. Dr Atkins proceeded to ask why I was sure my code was incorrect and that I should trust myself. In the end I found that my code was providing the correct result. I had spent hours trying to match incorrect code.
That same professor was the teacher that had pointed out to me halfway through a semester that I was the only girl in the class. I had always sat in the front row and had never bothered to look around at the other students. Back then the classes were Fortan and Assembler, but that professor taught me to trust my coding skills more than any other before or after.
More recently I’ve been questioned on code, I’m sure sometimes I’m not the expert, but frequently I’m shown to have the correct code over others that consider themselves to be experts. I’m always amazed at how differently the reaction is when it’s men vs women that are correct (in my experience). IT is still thought to be very much a male dominated field.
From my own experience I try to accept when I’m not the expert, acknowledge other’s contributions, but fight for what I know is right. — In all honesty though being right has in the past left me in…
