The Match | Loyalty
Word: Loyalty
Sentence:
Loyalty is staying committed to the purpose, especially when the story gets messy.
Passage:
Most people think loyalty is allegiance to a person.
Stay with them. Defend them. Choose a side.
But loyalty is supposed to be bigger than that.
Loyalty is commitment to a purpose.
When you stay loyal to purpose, you stop getting pulled around by personalities, moods, and moments. You get steadier because you know what you are here for.
Recently, a former student called me from jail.
He was picked up riding in a car with someone who had an unlicensed, concealed weapon. He had been to jail before, but his path had been clean for almost five years. And in one day, he lost his job at FedEx, and now has to rebuild again. That is how fast life can swing the other direction.
I have known him a long time. I have watched him try to outgrow what he was born into.
From the start, we connected on a shared purpose.
Break the cycle of poverty.
Not as a slogan. As a life plan. As a set of choices. As the slow work of healing, learning, and staying in the fight when it would be easier to quit.
So when he called, I did not hear it as my moment to rescue him. I heard it as a reminder that our shared purpose for him still had some work to do.
In that moment, I did what I could: I listened, helped in a small way, and reminded him that one setback does not get to define him. Ironically, on that same day, I received and filled out an application on his behalf for an internship with a community organization that supports people like him. Our work continues, and I’m not giving up on our commitment we made over a decade ago.
Because loyalty to purpose is not about blind approval.
It is about staying connected to what you believe is possible, even when someone is in a hard chapter.
And that is the kind of loyalty that lasts.
Your Turn:
What purpose are you loyal to, even when it gets hard to carry?
In February, every comment on a Match blog post—past or present—will serve as an entry to win a custom The Match hoodie!
That’s right, you will receive an entry for the raffle for every comment you make this month. The winner will be announced on Thursday, March 5th. I can’t wait to hear your comments and reflections.
11 Comments
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11 Comments
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on February 5, 2026 at 9:39 pm
FAMILY…prioritizing the well being of those around you, that you are responsible for, ultimately every one.
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on February 5, 2026 at 9:54 pm
That’s the purpose, passion and pride of a principal right there!
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on February 6, 2026 at 8:43 am
Indeed. Family is extremely important. I think that its our work these days to uphold the value of FAMILY in personal and professional spaces. Yet, there is a tension that exists. Loyalties lie sometimes and its important to keep an eye out for self and others who feel and believe one thing, but do something else. @Chad – thanks for this newsletter post. Very enchanting word here! LOYALTY! -There a lot that comes to mind for me here.
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I agree, words and actions = loyalty; because it means purpose is aligned and you can move in unison together. It’s a word that holds a lot of weight in our society and in some ways has faded in our modern world with the loss of values in organizations and leaders.
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on February 6, 2026 at 8:45 am
The Match has become a MUST read every Friday morning. I find myself looking for it in my inbox. It’s a great way to close my week, begin my Friday and in the quiet moments before the day starts provide a much needed moment of reflection and thought. Thank you!
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John, thanks for your kind words! I’m so excited that you find these short passages as a chance to reflect and ground yourself. Thanks for commenting too!
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on February 6, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Today’s Match message – Loyalty: “because loyalty to purpose is not about blind approval. It is about staying connected to what you believe is possible, even when someone is in a hard chapter – I am reminded by the following Ralph Waldo Emerson quote… “ What you do speaks so loudly, that I cannot hear what you say”.
Loyalty is not fealty – in modern English, fealty refers to strong, intense loyalty to a leader, political cause, or even brand”. As stated in the message, “Loyalty is a commitment to a purpose. When you stay loyal to purpose, you stop getting pulled around by personalities, moods, and moments. You get steadier because you know what you are here for”. Loyalty is a behavior guided by one’s principle values, not performed to gain some kind of recognition or fame.
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Chuck, Emerson is one of my faves! I love your statement, “Loyalty is a behavior guided by one’s principle values!” We get are confused in our society and are easily pulled off our purpose by the amount of noise and lack of clear leadership in organizations. A group of people rallying around a purpose is how you can change the world.
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on February 10, 2026 at 9:08 pm
I am very grateful for your commitment to bring light connection, reflection, and a pause into each week! Thank you for igniting a spark. Sometimes it feels like these are very dark times and it brings comfort to find illumination and shine a little brighter!
My purpose that I am loyal to is empowering myself and others to find inner peace and joy and shine their light.
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Lani, I love your purpose. It’s so beautiful, and this energy you are creating for yourself and others is so needed in our world. It can feel like the walls are closing in on us all and we find inner strength when we lean on each other. Thanks for sharing!
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on February 20, 2026 at 7:21 am
Loyalty to yourself and your family- work and personal.
FAMILY…prioritizing the well being of those around you, that you are responsible for, ultimately every one.
That’s the purpose, passion and pride of a principal right there!
Indeed. Family is extremely important. I think that its our work these days to uphold the value of FAMILY in personal and professional spaces. Yet, there is a tension that exists. Loyalties lie sometimes and its important to keep an eye out for self and others who feel and believe one thing, but do something else. @Chad – thanks for this newsletter post. Very enchanting word here! LOYALTY! -There a lot that comes to mind for me here.
I agree, words and actions = loyalty; because it means purpose is aligned and you can move in unison together. It’s a word that holds a lot of weight in our society and in some ways has faded in our modern world with the loss of values in organizations and leaders.
The Match has become a MUST read every Friday morning. I find myself looking for it in my inbox. It’s a great way to close my week, begin my Friday and in the quiet moments before the day starts provide a much needed moment of reflection and thought. Thank you!
John, thanks for your kind words! I’m so excited that you find these short passages as a chance to reflect and ground yourself. Thanks for commenting too!
Today’s Match message – Loyalty: “because loyalty to purpose is not about blind approval. It is about staying connected to what you believe is possible, even when someone is in a hard chapter – I am reminded by the following Ralph Waldo Emerson quote… “ What you do speaks so loudly, that I cannot hear what you say”.
Loyalty is not fealty – in modern English, fealty refers to strong, intense loyalty to a leader, political cause, or even brand”. As stated in the message, “Loyalty is a commitment to a purpose. When you stay loyal to purpose, you stop getting pulled around by personalities, moods, and moments. You get steadier because you know what you are here for”. Loyalty is a behavior guided by one’s principle values, not performed to gain some kind of recognition or fame.
Chuck, Emerson is one of my faves! I love your statement, “Loyalty is a behavior guided by one’s principle values!” We get are confused in our society and are easily pulled off our purpose by the amount of noise and lack of clear leadership in organizations. A group of people rallying around a purpose is how you can change the world.
I am very grateful for your commitment to bring light connection, reflection, and a pause into each week! Thank you for igniting a spark. Sometimes it feels like these are very dark times and it brings comfort to find illumination and shine a little brighter!
My purpose that I am loyal to is empowering myself and others to find inner peace and joy and shine their light.
Lani, I love your purpose. It’s so beautiful, and this energy you are creating for yourself and others is so needed in our world. It can feel like the walls are closing in on us all and we find inner strength when we lean on each other. Thanks for sharing!
Loyalty to yourself and your family- work and personal.