Maybe I look that way, but I’ve had colleagues think I was stupid and weak. Maybe it’s the Asian stereotype or the fact I won’t win any beauty contests. At one of my jobs, I’d walk around with a blank notepad. And I got talked to by my boss for not taking notes and paying attention. Another colleague remarked to others that I was useless.

Well, secretly I had multiple notebooks filled with observations. About work and those surrounding me. And then put a plan into motion.

This society doesn’t really do introverts all that well. I used to joke to my students that the university didn’t really want a serious teacher but a circus performer.

It was only when my colleague, also an introvert and an experienced officer pointed out what I was really doing when people wised up and was more careful.

The worst part of all this I tried to warn people. I placed a good portion of my strategic texts on my desk. Did they not think I actually studied them?

And I also knew some psychological warfare and how to use misinformation. I’d often talk loudly so the ones I wanted to listen in would spread what I said. I generally do not like lying and want to play it straight but I was trained in this sort of thing.

While I worship the one and true living God, I am familiar with His competition – the four faced god of lies.

But that’s all behind me for now. Before I entered my field, I originally envisioned planting a vegetable garden, which the “nudge from God” has attempted to grow.

Call me weak and stupid. I’d rather live that way now. They can keep everything else.