16/09/2026
Random thoughts...
Few weeks back, I had two young men come through to my office on two different occasions. As we talked, I could see that they were fighting back tears despite the heavy stuff they have been through. When they left, I remained thinking,how did we get to a place where we expect people to process deep pain through these rigid, unyielding boundaries? Why are we training young men to bury their feelings even in the face of deep trauma? How did we start to treating vulnerability as a weakness?
But not in my office.
The minute a student walks through my door, they are my child, male or female.
• Want to vent? I am listening.
• Need to just sit in total silence? The room is yours.
• Need to cry? Let it out.
I allowed the young men to drop the "tough guy" act and that is not about making them weak. I was showing them that fear does not ruin their strength and that their pain actually matters.
I am an Assistant Dean of Students,
If you think my hands are full, check my heart. It always has room. ❤️
