Humanity has gone through an endless shift in progression versus degradation. Small steps forward, and leaps backwards. In smaller cases more than the larger ones, it can be a long-lasting opposite.

And the two most dominant sides that inspire these shifts seem to have one thing in common: They know their reasons to believe that their side is right.

In matters of comfort and tastes in small things like media, dessert flavors, and sports teams, yes.

But certain topics deserve to be deal breakers.

Topics where lives are threatened and taken. Either by a collective, an individual, or by one’s choice to “opt-out” to not endure the pain any longer.

The global shift that has occurred in the last few days has either been inevitable, or sped up to create something that, in the near or far future, will make sure this does not happen again. How, why, and when, are matters that will be determined by the right people.

While the negative side has come out stronger than ever, the hurt yet hopeful masses have regrouped and said “enough.” They’ve drawn their lines in the sand to the point where glass is made.

Their boundaries have become stronger, while connecting much deeper with like-minded people to fight through the pain and/or numbness.

While news of repercussions has come out in small doses to those choosing a hate-filled path, for now it only changes who the next easily accessible target is. The calls for action against them have already begun, either in grassroots or invasive ways.

Or, to quote the late Biggie Smalls, “the ski mask way.”

Whatever these divides cause in the long run, it’s good to be on the side that has seen behind the curtain long enough to know how to sweep up its own mess, if only to avoid having the other’s messes weigh them into submission.

That’s what they want. And we will not have it.

–Kingston Priest

(Updated 11/19/2024)

First, thank you to the many that have read this series.

It took a lot to put it together in the short time I have, and I’m grateful for the attention it has received to this point.

As this update, all entries will have hyperlinks on the bottom tying one to the others.

This way you can go back and forwards with ease to each part, as I have written separate entries in-between them.

Other plans are ahead for this series, but that’s all I’ll say, for now.

Until the next entry, thank you again for reading. Write to you, soon.

– Kingston Priest

“What If I Die?”

Guilt trips come in all shapes and sizes, but if they ever had a leader in usage and effectiveness, it would be this one!

Like the “Love You” technique, any version of the phrase can be useful if your mortality is hung over their head.

It will play into their natural sympathies, but only if they do not see it coming.

If they do, refer to Manipulation and Ultimatum for reminders on how to reclaim your poorly made crown of superiority.

-Kingston Priest

Previous: Victimhood
Next: “X”

This series is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you wish to learn more about mental health, abusive behaviors, and support, please talk to your primary physician’s office, or a licensed professional.

For emergencies, please call 911, or call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

What the healing journey involves recognizing periods where are you were not a great person, the constant statements that healing is nonlinear holds true.

Last nigh, I was reminded of a point well over 10 years ago. I volunteered for a company which wanted to make an appearance at an indoor amusement park. I declined, but the day of the event where others went instead, I still made my way up there to say hi to those in my place.

I remembered their faces when they saw me. They likely we’re not pleased, but nothing verbal was said about it. But this was at a point where I only thought more about myself and only in later years that I mildly reflect on how that may have looked to them.

So yes, it was so long ago that the people involved may not even remember. Honestly, I only remember the name of one of the people there. 

Perhaps the reason I do recall is to let it be part of the lessons I had to teach myself again, both later in life and leading up to now.

I can also consider it showing up at the right time where I can speak on this so openly in the way that is aligned with what I’ve begun to speak on for years now.

I also believe it’s also tied to how much I do not want people to feel any way that I could have imagined them feeling in a selfish act, or what they told me how and why I hurt them, only to be indifferent or reject their claim. Only to remember the countless times that has happened towards me, pointing out or venting frustrations with unapologetic people, hoping they would hear me out for once.

Crossing my fingers that they would change stunted the chance for me to sit with everything long enough to be better than all sides of those memories. But I needed changing myself. Not just in words, but in actions.

I have repeated many times before how past mistakes should be lessons and not anchors. While that is still true, something else recently inspired a remix to that.

Do not treat your past mistakes as anchors. Instead, let them be propellers towards a better direction. One that your future self is cheering you on loud enough that you can continue to follow their voice.

Surely there will be many other memories to feel that way towards. I will continue to do my best to follow that voice, as I have years ago to make sharing this and much more possible.

– Kingston Priest

Scapegoating

Whenever you’re concerned about feeling the weight of your actions bringing you down, choose someone or a group of people to bear that burden on your behalf, and certainly against their wishes.

Scapegoating is when someone is used to absorbing your own mistakes and bad habits. You can artfully do this with multiple techniques on this list to take the edge off their defense or offense.   

It’s a surprise move that will stun your marks enough to seemingly not challenge you later. If you’ve picked the right one, nothing can harm you.

But rest assured, there’s little to no such thing as the “right one.”

–Kingston Priest

Previous: Respect
Next: “Tough!”

This series is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you wish to learn more about mental health, abusive behaviors, and support, please talk to your primary physician’s office, or a licensed professional.

For emergencies, please call 911, or call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

(Special note: This was written back on March 4th of 2024, and forgot about it until 08/19. The update will follow it in this same post.)

It’s one thing to say “I love you” to someone. It’s another to say “I trust you.”

I had the opportunity to say both in the romantic sense to someone recently. The feeling is mutual.

For that to happen, communication was important to each of us. Transparency and boundaries were established and respected for a long time.

Even in the periods when neither of us were in an emotional place to coexist, we grew for ourselves before seeing if we could grow with each other.

Circumstances to move forward are between us, but we’re in a better place to be ourselves. Removed from, but not entirely dismissing labels that mostly serve anyone outside of our circles.

Whatever becomes of this connection, I’m grateful for its debut and progression.

(And now, the update.)

As of July, we’ve become an official couple.

It’s really the only thing that has changed outside of how and when we come together.

How it’s being handled speaks well to what privacy we’ve created, while sharing the existence of our union to those we trust.

I’ll write more about that another time, and make sure it’s not sitting in the drafts longer than needed 😉

For now, enjoy the new series I’ve created, running until October.

-Kingston Priest