This Won't End Well

by Camille Pagán

“Not unhappy is not the same thing as being happy,

putting others’ needs first is often the byproduct of having loved ones.

Fact: People are the cause of most pain.

As it happens, most great minds think independently, and die long before the rest of the world comes around to their brilliance.

“People make mistakes. Sometimes you just need to stay hopeful and give it time.”

‘What is coming is better than what has gone.’”

why would I let someone else’s fear dictate what I do with my life?”

This is the problem with making a habit of a person: all of the neural pathways he has carved remain long after he’s gone. Fool that I am, I’ve assumed the grooves would close themselves, even as my subconscious mind has been attempting to fill them with individuals who are, for all intents and purposes, not suitable for the space.

“Even if I assure you I can be trusted, all you can do is wait to see whether I’m lying.”

There are days, many in fact, when I remain convinced that women cannot win. We ask for equal pay and a seat at the table, and instead we’re handed control-top pantyhose and pink wine with cupcakes on the label.

“You can’t expect yourself to be perfect, Annie. My therapist reminds me of that all the time.”

Religion is used to justify violence.”

“And the oppression of marginalized groups,”

Maybe optimism is the only thing standing between him and giving up on the daily slog of human existence.

“Why don’t you want to draw attention to yourself? Do you think that asking for attention will automatically lead to the wrong kind? Because if so, that’s not true. People make bad choices in spite of what you do—not because of it.”

I can go it alone. But why would I want to?

time doesn’t so much heal wounds as weaken one’s convictions.

love isn’t logical,”

The price of self-protection may, in fact, be higher than the cost of vulnerability.

Life is too short to be living the story someone else has told about you.”

I guess sometimes it takes another perspective to help you see what you’ve been missing.”

you’re only as alone as you think you are.

Better not to marry the wrong person than to marry the right one for the wrong reasons.”