The Joshua Tree

Image Source: The Joshua Tree

"Your ex boyfriend just got few tattoos and one of it is the Joshua Tree"

Hello to the Thoughtful Daily Post community! It's my first time writing here, and I just want to share my thoughts about a past conversation I had and maybe finally put it to rest for good.

He used to be so clean and presentable, no earrings, nothing. Could i ever have imagined him with a body full of tattoos? never in a million years, but people do change.

Ah. The Joshua Tree. U2's album, the one we shared during the first few months of our relationship. Sure, those in his circle won't really understand the value of that symbol, how significant it was that only the two of us knew... like an inside joke.

I met him in late spring 2023 during the most vulnerable period of his life. He was torn over a life-changing decision about his dream (which actually came true, thank goodness!) I was rooting for him every step of the way. I saw exactly how hard he fought and what he went through to get there. So yeah, he’s not trying to rekindle things. I think he just sees himself as the tree.

His mom would always thank me, saying her son changed a lot during our short relationship (tho I suspect I contributed to some of his emotional turmoil, i'm just not sure). Things just didn't click, and no, we didn't stay friends either.

Did we fight a lot? I wouldn't call them fights. Ah. Arguments. Was I passive-aggressive? Yeah, maybe sometimes. I tend to be quiet because it takes me a while to process, especially when someone triggers a strong emotion in me. Oh, you think a nagger is annoying? Wait until you see a soft spoken b*tch cornering you, forcing accountability, and dissecting your whole being. That's just... how toxic... I am.

But his mom still sends me cakes and presents on my birthday, which is just so sweet. Uhm, maybe because I was the only person he ever listened to. And you think that's a compliment? (Ha! Congratulations, it's a boy.)

Damn... the worst mistake a woman can ever make is giving herself away as both a mom and a girlfriend at the same time. Damn...

The Joshua Tree is poetic, really. So he walks around with a permanent reminder of a band he only fell in love with because he was listening to my playlist? ah.

So, since he’s out there wearing my music taste on his body, I might as well claim it back for this week’s #ThreeTuneTuesday. Let’s talk about the frontman who actually shaped me, Bono.

"U2 is an iconic Irish rock and alternative rock band formed in Dublin in 1976.

The group features a legendary, unchanged lineup of Bono (lead vocals), The Edge (lead guitar, keyboards), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums)" Source

Sorry, Ablaze, I really have four 😅

1. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Would you believe that this is a gospel and spiritual song? Bono isn't exactly talking romantically... he's talking about his quest to find God. It kind of reminds me of the band Jars of Clay, if you've heard them before. I'm not a super religious person, but my grandma had Italian blood and was born in the Philippines (which was colonized by Spain), hence the 'Sagrado Katoliko' upbringing.

This song is very close to my heart because I have this love-hate relationship with Him (the big man up there). And there always seems to be a gravity pulling me back to Him, often in the form of the people who come into my life...

2.Stuck In The Moment You Can't Get Out

True to its title, this song is for people who feel stuck, trapped, like they aren't moving... depressed, perhaps, or losing hope.

A director actually collaborated with Bono on the movie Sing 2..have you seen it? Garth Jennings was amazing to come up with this idea, because how else would you explain depression and overcoming it to children? Dope, right? You have to watch that movie!

3.Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own

Tough? You think you've got the stuff?
You're telling me and anyone you're hard enough
You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right

Bono isn't an ambiguous person, he doesn't play mind games. (Ah, definitely a chalant kind of guy)

This song talks about the importance of vulnerability. Since when are people so scared of opening up and showing emotions? AI still can't beat humans to this day, no matter how advanced it gets, simply because we have emotions. We have a heart. It's beating, it's alive... we are not robots, so why do we have to hide our feelings?

Ending my post with this Iconic song...

4.With or Without You

All breakups carry their own pain, and it’s just something we have to move through. We are both such different people now compared to three years ago. I hope he’s proud of how far I’ve come, just as I’ll always be proud of him. Maybe someday our paths will cross againwith that Joshua Tree tattoo on his back and my name on his wrist (i'm not sure how he's going to remove, cover up or redesign it.) My friends think it's so sweet, Lol! Even if he had my name tattooed on his forehead, it's still an absolute NOT. (What an idiot for putting a girl's name on his skin!)

Is there a possibility that we could get back together? I didn't like the version of myself when I was with him... I've sat with that part me long enough to unlearn a lot of things, including some of the most painful ones. YOU CAN'T KEEP SAVING PEOPLE AT THE EXPENSE OF YOURSELF...

Sorry to break the rules this week @ablaze, forgive me man! This ain't three tunes, I have 4, and I really couldn't remove one. But thanks for another week of great music. I hope people here seriously support our guy right here... this event is seriously good, guys!

Ellie 💕