on the courage to be disliked

and the power that follows

I don’t like Jerry Seinfeld.

I love Jerry Seinfeld.

I don’s like Bill Burr.

I love Burr.

I don’t like Bob’s Burgers.

I love Bob’s Burgers.

I don’t like Maude Lewis.

I love Maude Lewis.

I don’t like Jeremy Clarkson.

I love Jeremy Clarkson.

I don’t like Ben Howard.

I love Ben Howard.

I don’t like Jack Kerouac.

I love Jack Kerouac.

I don’t always like my wife.

But love her?

Hell yeah.

I love her fiercely every fucking minute I’m alive.

She’s had my back like no other.

She’s my number 29.

Dudes,

Don’t be liked.

Being liked is mild, milquetoast and likely requires you to carve off part of yourself in order to ‘get along.’

I like soft toilet paper.

And I would never go to war for soft toilet paper.

My children?

I love them in ways I did not know possible.

Like my parents have with me, I’d put up with a lot.

I’d both give my life and take lives to save them.

Being loved gives you power.

Wanting to be liked, seeking approval?

That’s a shortcut to giving your power away my brothers.

Have the courage to be disliked.

I…