Love Letter from Dad 90

Let’s talk about personal responsibility when it comes to relationships.

My responsibility:

• My behavior
• My actions
• Show up / Be present
• Be authentic
• Communicate openly
• Support them, be mindful of their feelings

Not my responsibility:

• Their behavior
• Their feelings
• Their reactions

I want to clarify something from this list that may have come across as dismissive or heartless. While we are not responsible for the behavior of others, we do have a responsibility to make sure that we are showing up with authenticity in ways that are mindful of the feelings of others. If our behavior (which we are responsible for) is triggering someone with intention, we are not acting with authenticity, we are acting with the goal of getting a reaction. That’s not only unhealthy, it’s manipulative.

I am not perfect, but I’m always working on becoming a better version of myself. My relationships are not perfect, but I am working on showing up, being present, and being authentic. I’m working on communicating as openly as I can with the people I love instead of saving my true feelings for strangers.

Never forget that I love you, and that excludes no one.

Love,