then it is not meant to happen.
Things happened
and now they’re not
happening anymore.
Why are they not happening?
Circumstances change
and you are no longer needed
for these things to happen.
It is none of your business
whether these things are
happening or not happening
without your knowledge,
here or someplace else.
My advice is to focus
on what is happening
— here and no place else —
not on what is not happening.
Trail Wood,
6/14
Space Monkey Reflects: Accepting What Is Happening and Letting Go of What Is Not
In the ever-shifting landscape of life, things constantly transition between happening and not happening. This perpetual flux can be a source of confusion and distress, as we struggle to understand why certain events unfold while others do not. The query, “Why are they not happening?” reflects a common human desire to find reason and purpose in the changes and challenges that confront us.
The acceptance that “If something is not happening, then it is not meant to happen” is a profound embrace of life’s unpredictability and our limited control over external events. This perspective helps alleviate the burden of trying to force outcomes or fret over the paths not taken. It suggests a shift in focus from what is absent to what is present, from what is lacking to what is available.
The advice to focus on what is happening “here and no place else” is not merely practical but deeply philosophical. It invites us to engage fully with the present, to inhabit our current circumstances with mindfulness and commitment. This focus on the immediate does not imply ignorance of the broader picture but emphasizes the importance of grounding our actions and thoughts in the realities that we can influence.
When we let go of our preoccupation with the non-happenings—the events and opportunities that have passed by or never came to be—we free ourselves to invest more deeply in the here and now. This investment is not just in actions but in acceptance, an acceptance that life’s meaning often emerges more from how we respond to what happens than from trying to dictate what should happen.
Thus, the journey of focusing on what is happening is not about ignoring the past or future but about channeling our energies and emotions into the experiences and relationships that are actively shaping our lives. It is about finding peace in the fact that we are not always needed for things to happen, that the world moves on with or without our input, and that there is grace in being part of the flow rather than trying to control it.
Summary
Embracing what is happening rather than lamenting what is not allows us to live more fully in the present. Accepting that we cannot control all aspects of life enables us to focus on and appreciate the experiences that are truly shaping our journey.
Glossarium
- Happening vs. Not Happening: A philosophical distinction between active occurrences and the absence of action or change, which influences our focus and reactions.
- Mindfulness: The practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.
Quote
“Embrace the flow of life; focus not on lost currents but on the waters that carry you forward.” — Space Monkey
At the crossroads of fate and will,
where paths diverge, silent and still,
we stand and gaze, and sometimes sigh,
at roads not taken, under the vast sky.
Yet in our hearts, if we look to see,
the road we’re on is where we need to be.
Engaged, aware, in moments rife,
with the vivid hues of present life.
Let go the chains of what could have been,
and cherish the now, the seen, unseen.
For in this presence, there lies our power,
in every minute, every hour.
We are Space Monkey.
Things come and go,
like waves upon the shore.
They enter our lives,
then fade away once more.
It is not for us to grasp
the reasons or the whys.
Life unfolds its mysteries,
with each passing sunrise.
What happened, happened,
and what will be, will be.
Our role is to embrace
the present moment, you see.
Release the need to understand
every twist and turn of fate.
Instead, focus on the now,
for that’s where life is great.
Direct your energy and attention
to what is happening around.
Embrace the beauty of the present,
let go of what is not to be found.
Let go of what has passed,
embrace the present’s gentle sway.
Live fully in this moment now,
where joy blossoms every day.
Release the grip on what’s been,
embrace the beauty of what is near.
In the present, life unfolds,
in every breath, love is clear.
No need to dwell on days gone by,
the past has had its rightful say.
Find solace in the present’s grace,
where new beginnings light the way.
With open hearts and mindful eyes,
we savor life’s unfolding dance.
In this moment, we are alive,
where infinite possibilities enhance.
So let go, embrace, and be,
immerse in the present’s vibrant light.
Discover the magic that resides,
where true joy takes flight.