Believe in something!!!
I have what may be a controversial take: when people are derisive of things like astrology, fortunes, and tarot cards, it immediately lowers my opinion of them. Not because I think these things are the be-all, end-all sources of truth about ourselves, but because I see them as a convenient means to self-reflection, to giving dedicated attention to ourselves and each other.
I’m sure there are so many counter-arguments to this, but an aversion to these things always equates, to me, to an aversion to vulnerability.
Sometimes it can be tough to express yourself or know yourself well enough to even have something coherent to express.
People have various ways of getting to the place of authentic revelation. Drinking comes to mind. A method of eradicating inhibition, connecting with people in a heartfelt and earnest way, to voice deep-held fears and feelings.
Or it can be one of those post-argument confessions. Teary and regretful, revealing the true source of your anger (read: usually sadness). We often can’t get straight to the real stuff.
I’m not defending an attitude of indolence and torpor. I don’t think we are powerless against the fates the universe bestows on us. I do think it can be nice to believe that there’s a bigger story at play.
It’s kind of like how they say atheism is a luxury. Some lead lives that necessitate a belief in God. For belonging and community. Faith that something, someone, is out there taking care of you.
Recently, I told a colleague I wrote plays, and she asked me the question that so many people seem to ask writers,
“Where do you get your ideas?”
These questions always flummox me, because the idea generation is the easy part. It’s the grit and the follow-through that I struggle with.
“I dunno,” I told her, “I guess anything is story-worthy if you pay close enough attention.”
One of my more dim-wittingly moronic catchphrases that I’ll often say to Alex is,
“People are so interesting.”
I’ll use it when I’m telling him a piece of gossip, or someone’s unpacking actions that I cannot understand. Why did they do that? What made them say that? Why are they the way that they are?
Because we really are so interesting, right? Our histories, our idiosyncrasies, our details, our differences, our sameness.
The simple act of reading someone their horoscope can be a gateway into a bigger conversation. Sometimes it’s just fun.
Often, we need an entry into vulnerability. A prompt. A way to uncover the thing beneath the thing.
Any path that leads to this is one I will happily follow.
