Things I Believe (in)

Susan Sontag has been on my mind lately after coming across some of her lists. Following a similar format, I’ve made a few lists for my birthday this year. The first one: 

What do I believe (in)?

In being prepared for the worst, expecting average, and hoping for the best.

In being obsessive and passionate with matters of the spirit. And reasonable and logical with matters of the head.

That long division is stupid and useless.

That being too wise can make you boring, and being too unwise can make you petty.

That it is good to strive for a modicum of order/not give in to chaos.

That you can never go wrong with black.

That acidity makes no sense in coffee.

That most foods and drinks that aren’t coffee are made better with acid.

That not all humans should procreate and/or be parents.

That cats are more interesting than dogs.

That dogs have the biggest hearts.

That we are better people offline, except cats.

That thinking too deeply, getting too philosophical, or staring at the intense light of existence for too long can depress or derange you.

That it is possible to peer into the abyss and pull yourself back.

That we are all walking narratives.

That people should cultivate their texting persona.

That mindfulness is at odds with humor.

In the fine line between taking your work seriously but not yourself seriously.

In taking your life in whatever fucking direction you please.

That I would be a fundamentally different person had I grown up with PB&J sandwiches and bacon (both separately and together) in my life.

That no one can ever have a better context of who you are than a person you grew up with.

That parents tend to be wrong and children tend to be oblivious.

That acknowledging you’ve been wrong or inconsiderate is all the other side has ever needed.

That someone who’s truly sorry won’t blame you.

In asking questions.

In not having the answer(s).

In shitty first drafts.

In flaws and foibles.

In paying on time.

That bad kissers shouldn’t get promoted.

That if you’re a virgin, you should tell the other person.

That relationships are like plants—some are too much work and others respond better when you leave them alone.

That sad songs only make you sadder.

That when loyalty is betrayed, heads must roll.

That life will often present you with an opportunity for payback and you must summon all your willpower not to take it. You will often fail.

That there’s no such thing as free shipping.

That pasta, pizza, and steak belong with red wine.

That there’s only this experience until we die, and then there’s nothing. Not even nothing, because nothing implies the absence of something. There’s no something to be absent, no dark void or empty space, just the cessation of everything.

… Walks away from the abyss.

That nothing is worse than a flea infestation.