“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.”- Maya Angelou. Maya Angelo

Advocate –

a. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed by of):

b. an advocate of peace.a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.

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Yesterday I woke up to find that my furnace wasn’t working. My best friend, he means well, called one of the managers to take a look. Well he tinkered and tried different things to no avail. Finally, I took the reigns and called the company that I have dealt with over the years. I told them my problem, they asked me ‘what type of furnace I had’. I replied to that by saying it was them that installed it. So, because I had good credit with them I was able to have someone come and fix my furnace. The repairman came in, took out a small part, replaced it with a new part, the furnace was fixed in a matter of fifteen minutes.

I told that story to say this, I have learned quite a long time ago that I am my best advocate. I have learned to speak up when it comes to my physical health, my emotional health, and yes, even my financial health.

I wonder at time what if there were never a person by the name of, Martin Luther King Jr., where would the African Americans be today. It was because of King Jr., that eventually saw Lyndon B. Johnson sign the Civil Rights Bill.

Imagine if we would have lost the war against America, Canada just might have been a large state of the United States.

When I was younger the only time I would stand up for myself was when I was provoked to anger. With that anger I only screwed things up for myself. I had to learn how to speak for myself minus the anger. It took me years to find my voice, the voice that was able to speak for myself, the voice when used brought results. I had now learned to be an advocate, an advocate for myself. I could not wait for someone else to come along and speak for me. I had to do the job myself.

When I started having trouble with my hip the doctor took the usual route of examination, get and x-ray. When it came back negative I decided that wasn’t enough. With some careful pressure the doctor finally ordered an MRI. The results came back that there definitely was a problem, I need a hip replacement. If I would have not pushed for the MRI I probably would still be suffering, suffering with no apparent reason why I am having such pain and discomfort.

So dear reader, if you need something done for yourself, do not wait for the prince on a shiny white horse to come to your rescue. You need to stand up, become your own advocate. Don’t always accept the first negative answer you get!