Things we are taught to say in a cacophonous world

That I was thinking about you, that it’s alright to ask if you were thinking about me, that I have to speak with you every day, and have you on my at mind every moment, that love is easy or not worth the hassle, that being together is more important than keeping secrets, that individualism has no place, that life is too short to accomplish things, that the windows must be closed during the winter months, that dinner must be eaten together nightly, that reading in bed is what one does before falling asleep, that headaches are a decent excuse, that obsession is dangerous, that no means no, that there is a time and place for everything, that is wasn’t meant to be, that it just didn’t work out, that I’m over the moon, that “I do” is forever, that there is always a price to pay, yet every man has his price, that two is all there is to life, that one should aspire to be, that it’s not alright to be different, that Santa knows if you’ve been naughty, and he knows if you’ve been nice, that you get your money back for every lost tooth, that it’s not worth understanding, that too much exploration is bad, that one mustn’t drink alone, that drugs are bad, that sex can be unhealthy, that moderation is the only avenue, that success lies in hard work, that money is success, that getting your foot in the door means something, that one should only be unusual in secret, that patience is a virtue, that there is always a meaning, that karma is a bitch, that violence is the answer, that beauty is an excuse, that it always happens, that breakups and breakdowns and breakaways are your problem, that I can’t, that you can’t, that he shouldn’t, that she couldn’t, that someone is always watching, that it’s too soon to tell, that it shouldn’t hurt, that conformity is the way, that you’re gay, that lesbians like to excite straight men, that it’s not alright to cry, that weakness has no place, that the wait is only six to eight weeks, that your call will be answered in approximately 14 minutes, that two and two make four, that it doesn’t matter, that life goes on, that the show must go on, that vice is destructive, that you don’t have a voice, that you must speak up, that I can’t hear you, that I don’t want to hear you, that that’s enough, that everything is going to be okay, that silence is golden, that one must follow the golden rule, that sharing is caring, that the names have been changed to protect the innocent, that one is innocent until proven guilty, that that music is too goddamned loud, that I’ll turn this car around, that we are not there yet, that good things come to those who wait, that observation is the key, that butterflies in your stomach are a good thing, that it’s not real unless you want it to be, that perception is key, that offensiveness is acceptable, that love is the bond that heals all wounds, that my word is my bond, that Moses lead the slaves out of bondage, that bondage is a dirty fetish, that one must be on one’s best behavior, that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, that everything must make perfect sense, that logic is the way, that the middle path is difficult to find, that the path less travelled is more valuable, that a penny a day is a penny earned, that value is in a hard day’s work, that hello, I love you, won’t you tell me your name, that the things we leave behind are more valuable than the things before us, that true love never dies, that a diamond is forever, and a diamond in the rough is a find, that cleanliness is godliness, that one must never falter on their values, that moral character is more important than action, that I’ll always be there for you. That I’ll always be there for you. That I’ll always be there for you.