Tell Me My Story: Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self

"It's time to start helping the helpers, Tell Me My Story shows us the way." — Jonathan Fields, Founder of Good Life Project® & bestselling author of SPARKED The work of serving others never ends, and it demands a great deal from those who take it on—more than they have to give, if they're not careful. But helping others shouldn't come at the cost of one's own health and well-being. And yet, years of putting mission needs before their own, coupled with the impact of a global pandemic, has left many humanitarians across mission-driven fields struggling to acknowledge their pain and serve others at the same time. It's left them languishing, exhausted, stressed out, burned out, traumatized, morally injured, depressed, anxious, and facing a seemingly impossible choice: Them or me? Using moments from her own life and twenty-year humanitarian career, Dimple D. Dhabalia invites humanitarians to consider how choosing a path of service may provide powerful opportunities to reveal and heal wounds at the individual and organizational levels, while embracing their humanity through the stories of the people they serve. Part memoir and part manifesto, Tell Me My Story is one leader's message of hope and offers a map to healing for those doing humanitarian work. It's also a reminder: This service and the people who do it are crucial to our world, and we must equip, empower, and encourage them to work as the best version of themselves–for themselves, for their loved ones, and for the people they serve. "A must-read—not only for those who dedicate their lives to helping others, but for all who have a story in need of healing." — Angela Bailey, Founder & CEO, Angela Bailey and Associates and Former Chief Human Capital Officer for the Department of Homeland Security