I have never told this to anyone. Many years ago, just out of college, I was thrilled to get a job as an adjunct faculty member at a small community college. The head of the department was three times my age and took me under his wing and treated me with such kindness, almost like I was his daughter.
He would often mention that he had a daughter my age who was quite ill and needed a new kidney. I began to consider that maybe I would offer my kidney to repay the universe for how lucky I was to get this job and have such a wonderful supervisor.
At the time, I was running for an elected position on a committee I really had my heart set on. I lost and asked him why he thought people didn't vote for me. He said, “Obviously people don't like you very much and think you're not competent to be on the committee.”
I was absolutely gutted. I left as soon as I found another job.