The Truth Isn't Always Pretty

But someone has to deliver the message once in a while

If you crave a simple life after being burned out by newsfeeds and pointless online chatter, then you have to bring the tools that enable simplicity into your life.

A notebook is like a phone or a computer, except that instead of throwing information at you all the time, the blank pages let you catalog your thoughts. Later on you can review them, or just keep filling up new notebooks every month.

A novel is like a movie, except that instead of being bombarded with sounds and images, you are given the option to create the images in your mind. You can read the book slowly to form a clearer image, or you can rush through the pages to reveal the story faster at lower definition.

A park is like going to a stadium for a game or a concert, except that instead of paying for $20 beers and dealing with loud people, you are treated to a free performance of birdsong or wildlife running around.

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I write this message for the people who will take the time to read it and process what it means.

Sometimes I picture it being read by people who don’t see things in the same way, and that makes me a little sad. Yet there’s no need to be sad about that.

If this message was for everyone, it would be for no one.

So it’s for you, the person who also is tired of this noisy world.

You came all this way, past generations have survived war and famine, the sperm hits the egg defying astronomical odds, and all you got was the chance to scroll through crappy videos on Instagram?

I waste time just as much time looking at garbage as the next person, but it’s worth calling it out on behalf of the group once in a while.

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I have written this message while listening to Elliott FM faintly in the background, which is linked to in the footer of this email.

The soft, relaxing music gives me something to hold on to when the world feels like it’s too much to keep up with.

I spent many weeks getting the stream to operate to this basic point that it currently is, and sometimes I wonder if it will grow and how many listeners will take to it.

But when I sit and have a cup of coffee, write in my journal, or write this letter to you with my radio station on in the background of my home, I believe that is enough.

At some point we have to take it easy on the grinding nature of everything we do and touch, and just enjoy the ride.

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Do things because you see the value in them yourself. Not for others.

Pleasing others is a shallow game. You can’t please other humans.

We know this is true just by what happens when we are customers of a business. It doesn’t take much to trigger a request for a refund or even worse, when we vow to never return to that restaurant.

I wish I could tell you we are all here for each other, and sometimes this is true. But we really are at this alone, just how this planet floats alone in a vast universe, so it is with us.

Because one day your work is spot on, but your family is wonky. And another day your family is spot on but your neighbours are being little shits.

Therefore you must accept that it’s your job to have your own back. It’s not your spouse’s job or the government’s job.

Have your own back and get on with it.

Life is a lot easier when you take responsibility for everything that’s going on.

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You created everything around you, with your thoughts and your actions. You created everything around you by either tolerating other people’s garbage or making the choice to not let it into your life.

You either did the work to accomplish x, y, z, or you fucked off and made some kind of excuse for why you didn’t do what you said you would do.

The truth isn’t always pretty but someone has to deliver the message once in a while.

Just another routine letter from me on Sunday morning, I suppose. I really do wish you the best week ahead.

And in case you were wondering, yes, I would have your back if I could. But I’m kind of a fictional character in your life as someone who just sends you letters every week.