Mom and Dad,
As I continue on this journey, I want to take a moment to thank you both for your unwavering support.
Your actions have made a significant difference in my life, and I am incredibly grateful.
Some of the things you've done recently that have helped me tremendously include:
- Offering support daily, with no hesitation.
- Making phone calls to banks and other resources to ensure I was taken care of.
- Brainstorming and implementing ideas to aid me in my journey.
- Working confidently and faithfully to find solutions for food and shelter, and doing so successfully.
Thank you for your unwavering love and support.
In return, I promise you this:
I will always protect you.
No matter what, I have your backs.
I will stand firm in the face of anything that comes our way, defending our family with all I’ve got.
Now, to make things a little easier for you while I am away and your under fire,
here’s a Cheat Sheet for handling any tricky situations,
particularly if anyone has negative
questions,
emotions,
& opinions,
about me or my journey that are being projected onto you.
Including but not limited to seeding doubt into your current support methods.
Questions About My Life, Trip, or Blog
If anyone is curious but you don’t have all the details, just say:
"Dalton’s on quite the journey! You should check out his blog; there’s a lot to explore there."
(Pro Tip: Direct them to my website. My email’s listed for any questions directly below my blog. I’m happy to answer or ignore those inquiries directly!)
Predatory Small Talk
You’ll recognize these conversations when you see them,
the questions that seem like a trap.
You'll feel the knee jerk reaction to defend me or yourself.
Again, just smile, redirect, and guide them to my website.
If someone is truly interested, they can ask me directly.
If they don't, they may just be there to watch you squirm.
Woe to you!
Rude Remarks And/or Opinions on My Life Choices
If anyone makes rude or passive-aggressive comments,
Again, smile, redirect, and guide them to my website.
If it continues for a 2nd time,
Set a boundary, and explain that you've already provided them with next steps and that you're no longer interested in having a conversation without me present.
Please text me.
Let me know who said it. Yes, I'm keeping tabs.
If they continues for 3rd time,
3 strikes on you're out.
Now they're mine.
Woe to you!
Again, let me know who said what.
Perhaps a blog post to expose their current or past behavior would be helpful for them to shape up.
The world should know how people act when they hide behind judgment.
So, dearest family, I want you both to know that, from afar, you have my protection.
My sense is this blog itself will do 90% of the deterring. I'll leave the final 10% to your desecration.
But, people have patterns. The ones who pull at your strings and expect you to pull them out of their emotional pits, only to leave you drained and empty.
You don’t need to carry the weight of others’ opinions or judgments.
With all my love,
Your son,
P.S. You’re both amazing.
Keep showing me your love and support.
I'm going to continue being me.
Happily Misunderstood,
More Woe's To Come,
Dalton
Fun note:
The Following has been submitted to Urban Dictionary for review. Stand by.
Performisees (noun):
A person who outwardly displays virtue, piety, or righteousness, often for show or to gain approval, without genuine inner transformation or sincerity.
A "Performisee" is someone who engages in actions or behaviors meant to create an impression of moral or spiritual superiority, while being driven by self-interest, ego, or social gain rather than authentic conviction.
This term combines the concept of performing for an audience with the Pharisees, who in biblical tradition were often criticized for their hypocrisy and external displays of religious devotion.
Example:
"Woe to you! Her speeches about kindness were nothing but the antics of a Performisee, always seeking validation without ever truly living the values she preached."