I believe the academic world is more separate from the rest of the world than ever before. No one besides us reads our academic journals. No one besides us reads our literary magazines. What are we getting done by just talking to each other?
Here’s an idea, instead of writing a list of material objects you want for yourself, try writing a list of actions you want to do for others.
It took Adolf Hitler twenty months to go from chancellor to dictator, and years for the Nazi regime to build enough power to create one of the most devastating time periods in history. People are scared the wrong man has been given the power, and that his power has been built on a campaign that made people fear someone who had a different skin color than them, or hate someone who had a different belief.
I am learning to focus on me. I am learning that having feelings is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed of. I am learning to trust again. I am learning to be kind to myself. I am learning to be emotionally vulnerable.
You now blame me for the reasons you were unhappy, that I did not do a good job of making life easier on you or making you happier; but I was not the reason for your unhappiness – that came first.
Staying in on weekends. If Saturday night were the Starship Enterprise, you’d be Jean-Luc Picard laughing all the way to the captain’s chair, sipping earl grey tea and knitting scarves out of squirrel tail hair you repurposed into yarn to give to people next Christmas.
I’ve realized it’s not time that heals us. It’s change.
We need to take time alone. We need it as much as we need to eat, drink, or sleep. It allows all of your layers to unfold and connect to your true and deep self. Fifteen minutes a day, sit with yourself. Through daily practice you will hear the chatter in your head start to get quieter and your inner voice and intuition get louder.
I was 18 when I thought I was in love.
As much as I hate this disease, and who you are when you’re high, and the amount of pain you’ve caused our family – is nothing in comparison to the pain we would feel if we lost you.