What it is
A set of principles for leading with force and love together:
- Mercy through the blade: exposing illusions and weakness through firm action, without hatred or cruelty.
- Loyalty to truth, not comfort: speaking and living the truth even when it causes temporary discomfort.
- Offer power once: sharing your strength openly, without attachment to whether others accept it.
- Strike without hatred: acting decisively when needed, without letting anger corrupt the act.
- Cut without regret: trusting that hard boundaries, even painful ones, can be an act of love.
- Leave the door open, keep walking: compassion means letting others find you when they’re ready; discipline means you don’t wait for them.
How it shows up for me
I wrote these in 2025, during a hard season at work. Reading them now, I like most of them and I’d soften “cut without regret.” I’ve learned that some regret is just care that arrived late, and it’s worth listening to.