Dalia shares a story of male aggression from a prominent figure in the VO community. 

-Takeaways-

• Male aggression is very real and we must call attention to it. 
• Women need to stop apologizing for speaking up. You have a right to claim space and use your voice to speak your truth.
• When dealing with an aggressive person, do what you can to de-escalate the situation.
• Stay calm during the encounter. 
• There are tools out there that can support us in conflict resolution. 
• When speaking your truth, you will find both support and naysayers; regardless remain steadfast in yourself.
• No one has the right to shame you into silence and even if they try to, keep going. 
• We don’t need to gaslight ourselves, saying “we must be wrong if everyone says we are.”
• We’ll never know fully what anyone else is truly capable of, so choosing sides and dismissing another’s experience can be harmful.
• Spiritual work is gradual. It will not happen overnight.
• Having awareness of a quality you want to improve is good work in itself.
• Sharing your story is helpful for improving confidence and bringing awareness to important issues others may be dealing with but don’t know how to speak about.

-Links-

• Speak on This Day and Every Day – Prepare to feel Empowered! - https://www.daliaramahi.com/speak-on-this-day-and-every-day-prepare-to-feel-empowered/
• 15 Cues of Agresssive Body Language -  ​​https://www.scienceofpeople.com/aggressive-body-language/
• 6 Subtle Mansplanations Women Encounter Every Day - https://www.bustle.com/articles/136319-6-subtle-forms-of-mansplaining-that-women-encounter-each-day
• 4 Ways to De-escalate Conflict with Better Communication - https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2017/08/4ways-to-de-escalate-conflict-with-better.html
• Equanimity Practice - https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/111120?lang=bi
• National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health - http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/
• https://www.inc.com/andy-molinsky/how-to-stand-up-for-yourself-without-feeling-like-a-jerk.html

-Social Media-

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bloomingvoicespodcast/ 
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/VoicesBlooming
• Email - [email protected]
• Website - https://www.bloomingvoices.com/