- figuring it out.
- Posts
- meditating on the meaning of life
hey guys!
gems of the week
list of things ive discovered and wanted to share
Joaquin Phoenix and Rick Rubin discuss art, acting, and humble beginnings
DC GoGo - the precursor to 90s hip hop
armaan’s thoughts
it feels so good to be w/ people where you don’t have to put a face on
compliment people more. it goes well 99.99% of the time
bubblemint is the best gum flavor
1 reflection
pushing back.
beads of sweat forming on his brow. eyes shot with a mix of fear, curiosity, and insecurity. and hands shaking from the caffeine.
here i was, at 3:12pm on a saturday, drinking coffee with some ucla kid who loves to make music and talk to strangers from twitter, pushing back on his lack of drug experience.
his criticism of people who smoke weed. his looking down upon those who engage in beautiful alcohol. the dogged UNDERAPPRECIATION of those who dare touch a mushroom!
i wasn’t criticizing drugs nor his stance on drugs - but rather the idea that you cannot truthfully judge something as universally good or bad until you’ve experienced it for yourself.
(author’s note: even if you have experienced something yourself, like drugs in this case, deeming it universally good or bad is a contentious philosophical take)
for me, what felt good in this case wasn’t the discussion about drugs or losers or homeless heorin addicts - but the fact i pushed back.
it sounds trivial, but we often censor ourselves. like a lot. we tell lies unbeknownst to ourselves, silently nodding in agreement to others as they blabber and yap and talk into the infinite void.
we’ll hear something we disagree with and just keep it to ourselves. we won’t discuss it or bring it up or dive into such a contention. and it makes sense. i get why. sometimes you don’t want to begin a lengthy conversation with a stranger drinking a corona light at some god awful backyard party.
but sometimes you do. sometimes you WANT to push back. and dare i say, sometimes it is a DUTY to push back.
part of the reason we’re in such a cultural mess is our lack of honesty. of honesty towards ourselves and others. so being part of the group that pushes back when you notice something off, i don’t think that’s entirely bad.
now - are they people who play “Devil’s AdVoCaTE” just for the fun of it - yes. they are addicted to drama and should be excommunicated from the earthly existences.
but i think we’d benefit from a bit more push back. even you and me. you can even push back on my idea of more push back.
that’s good!
love you. share this with a friend if you enjoyed it.
just send them this link.
appreciation
shoutout to coffee. my lifesaver <3.
THANK you for reading, you’re the best, and I love you oh so dearly.