43 Comments
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Bethany Nicole's avatar

The boys are back in towwwnn! What a fabulous read. I could almost hear the audio.

bell hooks ate my ass up on all about love. It was then that I realized I had only ever experienced cathexis

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Now you got me googling words 💀💀

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Bethany Nicole's avatar

bell hooks used it. To mean when people care for you but don’t provide the all about love definition.

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Do you remember which book, or was it a talk?

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Bethany Nicole's avatar

It gets a tiny mention in all about love actually. I wish we could leave pic comments lol. End of p 5 reads “That process of investment wherein a loved one becomes important to us is called ‘cathexis’. In his book Peck rightly emphasizes that most of us ‘confuse cathecting with loving “

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Alex Lewis's avatar

See, time for me to tap back in! Thank you for sharing!

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The PhD Mamma (Dr. Quanny)'s avatar

Same!! I could hear them talking, even though I am just meeting Alex for the first time!

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Alex Lewis's avatar

It’s so good to meet you, thanks for being here!!

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

Oh yall would enjoy each other. Yall are both good people!

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The PhD Mamma (Dr. Quanny)'s avatar

Same. It’s my pleasure!

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Anderson II's avatar

So beautiful and such important ideas here. We really only have so much time together. I especially liked the part about seeking new loving relationships constantly. I totally agree. It's never too late to connect with someone. Thank you for this

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Appreciate you, homie. If we only have a limited time here on earth, let's get all the love we can. Thanks for rocking with us 🙏🏽

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

you're right. It's never too late. Maybe I'm naive but I believe it.

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Jor-El Caraballo's avatar

Two men talking about love...AH, so glad I took the time to read this today. I appreciate you both so much!

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Jor-El, thank you for making the time! And I’m so looking forward to spending more time with your work

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The PhD Mamma (Dr. Quanny)'s avatar

This was delightful. I have been grappling with a major shift in relationships lately and this was like salve to my heart.

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

Me too! I read this twice for myself tbh

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Mmm love that word “salve” we’re all taking care of each other 🫂

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heaven's avatar

"How will I know if this relationship is supposed to continue?" and, “How will I know if you really love me?” really hit me. these are questions i've been asking myself *constantly* for awhile now, and to wholly denounce the idea that 'somebody's your friend for a reason, a season, or a lifetime' just felt so reassuring.

"The people who I pursue are people who are trying to pursue me." sometimes it's rly that simple, yet making and sustaining friends just kinda does feel so much more difficult, probably bc there's more intention, more focus, more ache to appreciate and be appreciated.

i'm excited to listen to the audio book bc whyyyy did i not know that existed!!! thank you for sharing this ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

aww thank you!

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Michelle Jackson's avatar

Looking forward to reading this.

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Hope you enjoy 🙏🏽

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Jamal Robinson's avatar

Love, love, loved this fellas! ❤️👏🏽

bell changed my whole damn life too lol

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Thanks bro, you’re one of the Black men that makes writing here feel a hell of a lot safer 🫂

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Jamal Robinson's avatar

I appreciate that my guy!

You, Robert and Marc did the same for me. Now that list is longer and I’m grateful as hell for all the Black men putting themselves out here ✊🏽🥲

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Stanley Fritz's avatar

Yooo, this was fire. I loved it! I especially appreciated the section about friendship and the work it takes to maintain one. Ego is such a killer! I appreciate yall!

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

Thanks for reading. I really respect you as a writer so thanks for this

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Stanley Fritz's avatar

Don’t gas me bro 🥹

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

Understood. As soon as you stop writing stuff that makes me think. So prolly never 🫡

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you bro, really appreciate you spending time with this one

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Cole Henderson's avatar

Yooooo this was amazing. Thank you both for inviting us into this wonderful conversation. I felt like I was in the room with y'all (I guess bouncing between Robert's and Alex's screens) and it felt warm, and intimate. Can't wait for Pt. 2!! 😊

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Love you man, you and the homies have taught me how to love

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Cole Henderson's avatar

Love you ❤️

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Marc Typo's avatar

I really love both of you. I wish I could tell you how much I needed this this morning. When I think of the men I want around me, around my son, I think of you and Robert. Thank you for these words this morning.

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Holding these words man 🫂 thank you, grateful you’re with us in all of this

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

🫂 😭

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Shivani's avatar

Thank you for inviting us into your home for this one. Felt like I pulled up with my tea and got to sit in on the most tender musings. Living a life grounded in love is the goal. But I find I need to allow myself space and time to understand just what that means and looks like as well as how that'll inevitably evolve with time.

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Alex Lewis's avatar

Come for tea!!!! I’m happy we’re on this journey together. Thanks for always helping to ground us in love 🫂

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Christina D Brown / CB's avatar

Damn this is beautiful. Gonna use to be in community with my distant homies.

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

thank you so much for this :)

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Vincine Brown's avatar

Loved this! Thanks for sharing your hearts 🥰

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Robert the contemplative's avatar

aww thank you for reading :)

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Jun 18
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Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you, Maggie. It’s such a gift!

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