Trash

Three cheers for the trash. 

Let’s celebrate the trash, shall we?

The things that we love that others deride and hate. 

The art, the music, the movies, the books, the television, the whatever it is that makes our hearts sing and brings ridicule from those around us. 

Let us raise a glass and toast these things, not because they are bad, but because they are good…to us. 

That’s the key, isn’t it?

That these things mean something to us?

Whether they are pure entertainment or have greater meaning in some way, for some reason, that’s what matters. 

In this world the fun we find is ours. 

We get to decide on it and cherish it. 

Sure, sure, we’ll avoid the – fun that isn’t harmful to others or hateful, etc. – because brother, that should be implied. GOOD fun. And you know what good fun is, sometimes?

TRASH. 

It’s the stuff that you enjoy because you enjoy it. It connects with you. You don’t look more deeply and don’t feel the need to, necessarily. What we love, in any way, is ours. We get to make that decision, and it doesn’t matter what other people say, it – is – ours. 

I love a lot of trash. 

And I say ‘trash’ in an affectionate way, not as a way to deride the work put into those things. Not to disparage it. I was going to list ‘trash’ that I love but, sadly, that can be weaponized in a way to say – oh, you ‘love’ it but you still call it trash. So I will keep my opinions to myself on this one. 

Love what you love. 

I say it a lot on here, and I mean it. 

Love what you love. 

Love who you love. 

Understand what that love means and is, sure, but let it be what it is, too. 

Every single thing we find joy in doesn’t have to say anything more than – hey! There are layers to everything – EVERYTHING – because humans work on several layers at once. That throwaway slasher had other ideas behind it. Even if it was – guy in a mask kills naked ladies – there are reasons why that person wanted to make THAT movie. Good or bad. 

There were reasons. 

Layers. 

What you love, what makes you happy, says something about you, and that’s fine, but you can’t let these things be used against you. You can’t let it take the joy from you. That happened for me with art, when someone told me I was no artist. It killed my pure love it. I have never gotten it back again like it was. 

I let someone take that joy. 

Don’t let someone take yours. 

Don’t get it away. 

Love that bad movie. 

Love that cheesy ballad. 

Love that pulpy book. 

Love that mass-produced art. 

If you love it…LOVE IT!

The point of it all is to open pathways into yourself that allow you to see more of your heart and spirit and get more out of the world. 

This stuff matters. 

Because it matters to you. 

Hands down, I’d rather watch a cheesy slasher movie than some Oscar-bait film. 

Why?

Because most times I want to watch something for the joy of it, even if it’s a dark joy. 

Love your trash friend, because it’s yours, and that’s all that matters. 

…c…

I am a purveyor of trash. Check the bookstore for more.