How to connect without internet connection

(29F) Seeking IRL Connections

#throwbacktuesday

Hi there,

Falling down the rabbit hole is easy, getting up and out is hard.

Five things to share:

1. The problem is you, it’s always been you. Social media just exploits that, your inability to love the Other. The avatars are not real, only a mere representation of what’s real, and it’s easy to tolerate their presence, toleraate their absence. Easy to love, easy to hate: With a tap, a click, a comment. Reality requires so much more of you, and I know it hurts. It hurt me too, until I learned— falling, failing, flailing— how to tolerate. Exposure therapy is the term the professionals use and I am still in recovery.

2. The Weeknd, yes The Weeknd, is Ethiopian and from Toronto. I’m also Ethiopian and from Toronto, and as these things happen to be my mom vaguely knows of his mom and you should hear the way my mom talks about The Weeknd, yes The Weeknd, as if he’s some rowdy, tryna-be-a-thug nephew of hers off the streets. There’s no use trying to explain such things to mom: But mom, it’s The Weeknd!!!! For her, it’s Abel Tesfaye, the Ethiopian boy that should listen to his mom and go to church, instead of all that “Satan music.” My sister and I look at each other and giggle. It occurred to me recently that she’s also talking about me in a way. In a way, I, too, am like The Weeknd; the rowdy girl who should listen to mom and go to church, instead of to The Weeknd and all that Satan music. I giggle at such realization. How mom tries to save me in her own way, talking about The Weeknd— denouncing all fame and worldly goods, urging The Weekndme to seek salvation, eternity in heaven (imagine such love!!!) and in that realization I understand her wholly. We spent so many years unable to hear one another, the screams— But mom, it’s The Weeknd!— louder than the quiet, calm, peaceful love patiently waiting to be heard: Go to church!ILOVEYOU Pray!ILOVEYOU Read the bible!ILOVEYOU. What do you do with such understanding? Love back like you wouldn’t believe it. Of course, agreement isn’t a prerequisite to love because

3. A quote I want to share with you:

   4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

   8 Love never fails.

   — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4. Befriending Yourself (is Sacred Work)

5. A question for you: How do you connect without internet connection? Or, what have you learned about love recently?

P.s. I finished The Book Thief Sunday night, wept— that boy Rudy, I tell you— and slept like a baby. What more can you ask of a book? The best remedy for a good night’s sleep. No internet connection required. 

That’s all for this week!

Thank you for reading, and share with anyone you think may benefit.

time spent offline is now a monthly analog publication you can get delivered straight to your mailbox with 20 ideas every month.

Until next time,

Mehret