01 / SOMETHING WE BELIEVELOYALTY · ALLEGIANCE VS. TRUTH
Loyaltyisagoodthing.
We stay. We show up. We do not abandon people when things get difficult. We know what it feels like when someone does.We stay. We show up. We do not abandon people when things get difficult. We know what it feels like when someone does.
Someone answers when you call late. Someone remembers the date you wish you could forget. Someone knows how bad things got and still treats you like yourself.Someone answers when you call late. Someone remembers the date you wish you could forget. Someone knows how bad things got and still treats you like yourself.
Of course that matters. Of course you want to give something back. When you say, “I’m on your side,” you mean it.Of course that matters. Of course you want to give something back. When you say, “I’m on your side,” you mean it.
You probably do not stop to agree on what that sentence covers.You probably do not stop to agree on what that sentence covers.
What does someone earn by being there for you?
02 / BEFORE YOU HAVE THE FACTSLOYALTY · ALLEGIANCE VS. TRUTH
Thensomeoneyoulovedoessomethingwrong.
You hear their name. Something in you is already preparing an answer.You hear their name. Something in you is already preparing an answer.
Before you ask what happened, you ask who accused them. Before you hear the answer, you remember what they did for you.Before you ask what happened, you ask who accused them. Before you hear the answer, you remember what they did for you.
Maybe you have seen them misunderstood before. Maybe you have also seen them behave this way before. Those memories can pull you in different directions.Maybe you have seen them misunderstood before. Maybe you have also seen them behave this way before. Those memories can pull you in different directions.
Think about the first question you would ask. What answer are you hoping it will give you?Think about the first question you would ask. What answer are you hoping it will give you?
What do you want first?
03 / YOU KNOW THEMHOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PERSON THEY HURT?
WE.
YOU KNOWTheir kindness.
YOU KNOWTheir struggles.
DO YOU KNOW?What they meant.
Knowing someone gives you context. What might it make harder to see?
04 / THE WORD WE PROMISEDLOYALTY · ALLEGIANCE VS. TRUTH
Howmuchdoyouknowaboutthepersontheyhurt?
You know your friend’s bad week, their family, the things they find difficult. You can explain the expression on their face. You can imagine the sentence they were trying to say.You know your friend’s bad week, their family, the things they find difficult. You can explain the expression on their face. You can imagine the sentence they were trying to say.
The other person may reach you as a screenshot. An accusation. A name you have never heard. You have less to remember, so it is easier to have less patience.The other person may reach you as a screenshot. An accusation. A name you have never heard. You have less to remember, so it is easier to have less patience.
Knowing more about one person can help you understand them. It does not mean you know enough about the other.Knowing more about one person can help you understand them. It does not mean you know enough about the other.
Protection from what?
05 / WHAT YOUR PRESENCE SAYSLOYALTY · ALLEGIANCE VS. TRUTH
Whendoesstayingbecomeagreeing?
Your friend is telling a group what happened. You were there. Most of the details are accurate. One is missing.Your friend is telling a group what happened. You were there. Most of the details are accurate. One is missing.
It is the part where they made a choice. Without it, the other person seems unreasonable. You see people nodding.It is the part where they made a choice. Without it, the other person seems unreasonable. You see people nodding.
Your friend glances at you. The conversation has not moved on yet.Your friend glances at you. The conversation has not moved on yet.
Your friend leaves out the part that makes them responsible. What do you do?
Choose a response to explore what follows. Scrolling past does not choose silence for you. Changing your first response resets its follow-up.
06 / NOW TURN IT AROUNDLOYALTY · ALLEGIANCE VS. TRUTH
Youaretheonewhodidit.
You keep replaying the moment. You can explain how you got there. You wish explaining it made it different.You keep replaying the moment. You can explain how you got there. You wish explaining it made it different.
You pick up your phone. You know who will answer. Before you call, you practise the first sentence. Which part do you lead with? Which part are you hoping they will not ask about?You pick up your phone. You know who will answer. Before you call, you practise the first sentence. Which part do you lead with? Which part are you hoping they will not ask about?
You need somebody to stay. You may also want somebody to tell you that what happened was not really your fault.You need somebody to stay. You may also want somebody to tell you that what happened was not really your fault.
Would you recognise the difference while you were asking?Would you recognise the difference while you were asking?
You are the one who did something wrong. What are you hoping they will say?
07 / THE SAME WORD, AGAINLOYALTY · ALLEGIANCE VS. TRUTH
Loyaltyisagoodthing.
You can hear that sentence differently now and still believe it. There are people you want to keep loving. There are things you cannot honestly defend.You can hear that sentence differently now and still believe it. There are people you want to keep loving. There are things you cannot honestly defend.
Sometimes they will accept both. Sometimes they will ask you to choose between them. You do not get to decide how they receive your answer. You do get to decide what you are offering.Sometimes they will accept both. Sometimes they will ask you to choose between them. You do not get to decide how they receive your answer. You do get to decide what you are offering.