The Slowest Signal of All

People always latch onto something simplistic to approve of others.

It’s rarely the message and its arguments, it’s the stance.

It’s a very one-sided thing. They want to know what camp you belong to.

All it takes is one instance of a perceived violation for people to reject you and their previous devotion.

It’s a reality we must accept. We evolved to make quick decisions. Why spend energy on understanding a deeper message when one can grab the most prominent signal and run with it?

If you’re going to charge ahead honestly in this life you have to accept a level of loneliness. You cannot get true strength from supporters, adherents, backers, advocates, fans, patrons, enthusiasts or allies. They will leave as easily as they came.

But amidst this fickle reality is something that persists. Something that gets respected in hindsight. Integrity.

Integrity is not a quick signal, like which camp you belong to; it is a very slow one.

So slow, that it will probably live longer than you.

That’s real strength.