You inspire armies of people, incl. yours truly. Your “279 Days” has been a catalyst in my moving my ass and finally write my (own) book (scheduled for publication end of this month).

For all it’s worth, my favorite method for dealing with criticism is the Magic Question: “What will make you happy?” I’ve also learned to not take criticism personally, because it never is. Why, even the Creator Her- or Himself is constantly being criticized for failing to create the perfect world with perfect people and perfect bloggers. However, S/He’s kind of forgiven because obviously not gifted with the high intelligence those born to criticize Her/Him have been gifted with.

Relational jujitsu also works well (in any case, better than resistance). I had a couple of Ansel Adams prints on the wall at home. A famously critical person visited part of a family gathering. By one look she could tell the prints, wrongly framed, hung at wrong heights and distances. “Funny, that’s what everybody says” basically ended a conversation that never was.

In her recent “Job Opening” post, Heather Armstrong gave samples of moronic accusations leveled at her. They confirm what you probably know already, there’s no limit to the darkness in dark forces: “Since the ‘F’ word is your favorite, that is the grade I give your website.” “You are the reason why the government should be able to regulate who can have children. How tragic for your daughter.” “You’re nothing but a dirty piece of whiny drivel.” “Get a life idiot! You got fired for being a stupid whore!”

In speaking “for the rest of us,” we’re happy you have left the critically gifted behind, and have returned to what you love doing. We love it, too.
Beat

I appreciate all you do, Chris. Thanks.

Thanks for keeping it real. Your site is a constant source of useful and reliable information, so keep doing what your doing!
I’ve been using your insights to help build a small army of my own…and they work! Good luck in your travels.

Dan

That you can live a life worth writing about, AND make the time to write so well about it, is impressive.

As for that trust fund question, I can relate to it. Some think I must be up to something illegal because I’ve survived a long while as a student with little income, while also a single home-owner with bills and a mortgage. What I’ve been up to is not illegal, just uncommon – many, many years of careful budgeting, frugality in most things, and savings. Most people don’t practise this, so I suppose it’s natural they wouldn’t understand.

Keep up the great work Chris – I’m cheering for you to see the world before that magic birthday and that you have something equally robust and adventurous planned for the following 35 years — keep it going!

Peggie

Really enjoyed your post about kindness/coolness and comment guidelines. I usually put my crazy title, so was overjoyed to find you do not consider that blatant self-promotion. Am getting up to speed with twit land myself. Giving is the way to go!

Giulietta
Rebel at large

Just wanted to say I really appreciate your blog and the amount of time you spend interacting with your readers. I wish I’d known about AONC sooner, it really is top notch, and the themes are right up my alley. I very much value travel and gratitude and other people. This is in stark contrast to the homebound, preoccupied xenophobe I was not all that long ago, and it was nothing but the positive ideas of other people that helped me grow out of that. Thanks!

My small army is already growing