“What am I, chopped liver?” used to be my favorite saying. I’m short and slight, and easily overlooked, usually blending into the background. I used to get so frustrated at being ignored when waiting for service, or to be seated at a restaurant, even waiting for a green light (it never turned green until another car joined me at the signal). For a while I thought I was invisible; no one seemed to notice me. I sort of liked the invisibility idea.

I recently took a contract at a large corporation where I’ve worked on and off for years. When I ‘retired’ recently to get training as a coach, I sometimes found myself almost missing working at that company, even though when I was there I was very burnt out and couldn’t wait to leave. What was I missing? I missed The Badge. This little piece of plastic allowed me to enter any building belonging to the company. I could go where I pleased, when I pleased. I was surrounded by people who knew me and respected me. I belonged, I was included. Without The Badge, who was I?