Love and Affliction

It’s fine that the party set uses the social media as their own private real estate. But it’s unfair that everyone has to keep up. Recently I’ve landed up online in three happy snaps without permission. I look bored and deranged among the wild bunch who are the ones who actually look mad.

The popular culture has spawned a standard set of images and responses that show us having fun. The rules must be followed. Arms must be raised with or without drinks, and mouths must be wide open. If your mouth is closed it means you are not enjoying the party.

It was an end-of-year party and, really, I was having a good time. But my mouth was shut and I was not smiling. I was looking for a way around someone with a vaping habit. But I wasn’t looking for the door.

Two things happen in December: love and affection. The affection part is important because so often we feel love without showing it. The third thing that happens is phone cameras. They are the witnesses to our fragility.

The important part is to show the love even while the cameras are not clicking. And not only with material evidence. In this time of giving and receiving, try to be the neutral party in the middle. You’ll be surprised at how gratifying it is to not owe anyone anything.