Thoroughness (a poem for devotion)
I have expressed from my longing and obstacles
the balm of thoroughness,
rare as rose oil,
nothing cures like devotion.
I stroke it on wounds and desires
Easing someone’s suffering…without suffering. Is it possible?
Do I have to feel your pain in order to help ease your pain?
And, if I guard myself against your suffering, am I less useful? If I want to detach from your pain, am I less loving? If I think, “I’m glad I’m not going through that”, am I cold hearted? If I’m grateful for my strength or good fortune in comparison to your so-called weakness or misfortune, does that make me…just secretly horrible?
You girlfriend, YOU. The things women friends do.
I can be my most very very softest self with you. There isn’t a word in the English language that can convey my gratitude for that.
You have never once made me feel wrong, or wicked, or insane, or not hot — even when I felt all of those things. You always make me feel righteous, and loving, and strong, and totally hot.
How to be generous.
Let go of things you think you cherish. A waitress at dinner complimented my friend on her earrings. My very cool friend left the earrings with the tab. I bet that small act rocked the waitress’ world. How much do you really need your stuff? Sometimes we hold onto things for the “principle”. Like say, your bestie loves all things owls but you’re holding on to that owl-embroidered smock that you never wear because your aunt made it. Give it.
Online etiquette, the Golden Rule, and calling bullshit when you need to.
The internet is a democratic space. (For most of us. Not all of us. Hello, China.) So rock your Instagram however you want. Here in, I’m stating how I personally prefer to operate on the interwebs.
Manners matter. More than clicks and endorsements and being all fucking boss about your positioning.
Do it for the love
Money, approval, association — those are each healthy components to pulling off good stuff, but only if they’re rooted in the true love of what you’re doing. First, integrity, then hustle.
No matter what you do in life, whether it’s truly noble or expedient BS, you’re going to sweat for it, you’re going to lose a few battles, get criticised, hit the wall.
There aren’t many shortcuts to greatness, so really, just #doitforthelove.
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