SAYDA

I always knew this wave would be short-lived. I told myself that going into this. But somewhere along the way, I let myself forget. I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, you wouldn’t let it crash ashore and recede. I should’ve known better.

I will only let you touch me if your hands are so full of intention that every brush of your palms feels like you writing a novel on my skin.

It’s funny, having a crush on someone. To everyone else this person is just one more human being, nothing special. They can sit there and talk to this person, smile, laugh and walk away, and they won’t even remember it. But when you hear, see or maybe - if you are lucky - feel this person’s quick meaningless touch of your skin, you save every second of it in your memory to replay it over and over in your head when you’re laying in your bed sleepless; to imagine various situations that you two could happen to be in; to find sense in something that was completely accidental.

I hope my words linger on your mind like alcohol on breath, like death’s perfume on your wrinkled bed sheets and broken syringes.

A lot of parents will do anything for their kids except let them be themselves.

Things are beautiful if you love them.

Opening your heart and being courageous and telling people that you care about them or like them or that you think they’re special only makes you a better, bigger, kinder, softer, more loving person and only attracts more love in your life.

When thinking about life, remember this: no amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of anxiety can change the future.

We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in.

There are two kinds of guilt. The kind that’s a burden and the kind that gives you purpose. Let your guilt be your fuel. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw a line in your mind. Never cross it again. You have a soul. It’s damaged but it’s there. Don’t let them take it from you.

There are two ways to reach me: by way of kisses or by way of the imagination. But there is a hierarchy: the kisses alone don’t work.

Love out of passion, not out of loneliness. Love the person, not the idea of them. Love who they are, not who you want them to be. Love with compassion, not with judgement. Love unconditionally, not only when it’s convenient.

Accept, then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.