Note: The image on the left shows the original Chinese text written by the speaker; the speaker’s full name has been covered for privacy. The text on the right shows the English translation.
When I was diagnosed with diabetes, my world felt shrouded in a gray veil. As a corporate executive, I was accustomed to being decisive and in control of every aspect of my life. But facing frequent blood sugar tests, strict dietary restrictions, the need for caution at dinners, and the anxiety before pricking my finger, I experienced a sense of losing control for the first time. This powerlessness slowly eroded my passion for life.
At Amy's Women Empowerment, I not only learned to listen to my body but also felt fully understood for the first time. The people here recognized the exhaustion hidden behind my “dignity” and the helplessness of trying to keep everything together while feeling powerless. This non-judgmental warmth was like a beam of light, softening the tension in my life.
I want to share with you a major transformation within me, which is my way of treating others around me, especially in the workplace. Before, when my colleagues failed to meet targets, I would only focus on the results and hold them accountable, thinking that poor execution resulted from a bad attitude. Now that I am back at work, when colleagues have problems, I patiently ask if they are facing any difficulties. I also consider their situation and take the initiative to approve raises or adjust their leave schedules. I found that I can now truly put myself in others’ shoes.
My illness allowed me to deeply understand the feeling of being overwhelmed by work targets, trying to tough it out while fearing mistakes. The insight I learned and would like to share is simple: vulnerability shaped by hardships is not weakness, but empathy. This empathy helps us see others’ struggles and turn the warmth that healed us into the power to light the way for them.