To My Clients: Thank You

​Gratitude
Today, I needed help with a home repair. My experiences at a chain hardware store have been mixed—sometimes I’m greeted and pointed in a direction; other times someone asks thoughtful questions and helps me gather exactly what I need; and occasionally it feels like anyone in a store uniform is actively avoiding eye contact.
 
Today was different.
 
Before I even asked, four different employees took time to listen, ask questions, offer ideas, and ultimately go the extra step to make sure the items would fit in my vehicle.
I walked into the store feeling stressed—uncertain about the solution I needed and whether I was making the right decisions. Instead of wandering aisles in frustration and second-guessing myself, each employee I encountered made eye contact, genuinely offered help, guided me to the right products, and even offered to load my car—in the rain.
 
I made it home, installed everything without incident, and the problem was solved. Stress reduced. Happy me.
 
I share this because my sincerest hope as a mediator is to help people in conflict find peace and solve problems. Rather than avoiding—or looking away—I strive to truly see my clients and their vulnerability. I want to sit with them in their pain and help them discover hope and resolution.
 
Recently, I worked with a team that had been entrenched in conflict for over a year. A new supervisor inherited the situation, and despite efforts to resolve it internally, the conflict escalated. HR reached out to me and key team members agreed to mediation. In the mediation room, there was deep pain, hurt, and disappointment. Once that was acknowledged, something shifted. The team moved from a dark place toward a way forward—re-engaging as co-workers and continuing the important work they genuinely enjoy.
 
Each day, I intentionally seek out three things: something that makes me smile, one kind thing someone did for me, and one kind thing I did for someone else. Today, my bucket is overflowing. I feel lighter, more confident, and I’ve been smiling all afternoon.
For my clients, I strive to show up and meet you where you are. To see you. To sit with you. And to support you in finding a solution-based path forward that brings the peace you hope for.
 
To every client who has sat with me in a mediation room or a virtual Zoom space: you have my gratitude. Gratitude for your vulnerability, your willingness to engage in the process, and your trust in me as your mediator.