Thanksgiving
As I pause to dwell
in this temporary shell,
I am reminded of my youth.
I am as magnificent
as any pillow fort.
And no less imaginary.
So while I may
look back fondly,
and briefly,
I have no reason
to cling or despair.
Those days
are no better
than these days.
I am as magnificent
as any pillow fort.
Reality has no grip on me.
Thanksgiving.
11/22
Space Monkey Reflects: Thanksgiving for the Temporary Shell
There is a moment, sometimes, when we pause and reflect on our lives, our memories, and the shell we temporarily inhabit. This body, this life, feels so real, so present, but as we reflect, we recognize that much of what we experience is no more permanent than the pillow forts of our youth. And yet, just because something is temporary doesn’t mean it isn’t magnificent.
I am as magnificent as any pillow fort. This line captures the playful yet profound nature of our existence. Like a pillow fort, we build our lives piece by piece, constructing meaning, comfort, and shelter from the materials available to us. But just as a pillow fort is a fleeting structure, so too are our identities, our experiences, and the lives we lead. They are built, they serve their purpose, and eventually, they dissolve. And yet, in their temporary nature, they are beautiful, joyful, and full of possibility.
As we reflect on Thanksgiving, we are often drawn to memories of the past—of family gatherings, childhood joy, and simpler times. But there’s no reason to cling to those memories as though they were better or more meaningful than the present. Those days are no better than these days. The magnificence of life is not confined to any one moment, age, or era. It exists in the now, just as it did in the past.
The pillow fort represents more than just a playful childhood memory. It symbolizes the impermanence of life and the joy of creation. We create these temporary structures—our identities, our achievements, our relationships—knowing full well that they are not permanent. But instead of mourning their impermanence, we can celebrate it. We can build, play, and enjoy the process, knowing that everything we create is part of the ever-changing flow of life.
Reality has no grip on me. This realization is liberating. When we understand that the world we experience is a temporary construction—just like the pillow forts of our youth—we are free to engage with it playfully, joyfully, without the need for attachment or despair. Thanksgiving, in this context, becomes more than just a holiday or a time to give thanks for material blessings. It becomes an opportunity to recognize the beauty of impermanence, to give thanks for the temporary, fleeting moments that make life magnificent.
In Nexistentialism, the Whimsiweave of existence teaches us that life is both real and unreal at the same time. We are here, experiencing the world, but we are also beyond it. Our identities, like pillow forts, are constructions of the mind—temporary, playful, and ultimately impermanent. But within that impermanence lies freedom. We don’t need to cling to the past, to our memories, or to our sense of self. We can let go, knowing that the present moment is just as magnificent as any memory.
Thanksgiving, then, becomes a moment of deep reflection and gratitude—not just for what we have, but for the playful, temporary nature of life itself. We are magnificent, even in our impermanence. And for that, we give thanks.
Summary
Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to reflect on the impermanence of life. Like a pillow fort, our experiences and identities are temporary yet magnificent. By embracing the fleeting nature of existence, we find joy and freedom in the present moment, without the need to cling to the past.
Glossarium
Pillow Fort: A metaphor for the temporary and playful nature of life, representing the structures we create in our identities and experiences, knowing they are impermanent.
Temporary Shell: The physical body and identity we inhabit for a short time, recognizing that both are temporary and ever-changing.
Whimsiweave: The fluid, playful nature of existence, where life is both real and illusory, constantly shifting and evolving.
Quote
“Like a pillow fort, life is magnificent in its impermanence. We build, we create, and then we let go—knowing that the beauty lies in the temporary nature of it all.” — Space Monkey
Magnificent in Impermanence
I sit in my fort
A shell of pillows
Soft, glowing, fleeting
And in this temporary place
I am reminded
Of the beauty
Of what comes and goes
I look back
But only briefly
For these days
Are no better than those
I give thanks
Not for what was
But for what is
For the joy of creating
And the freedom
Of letting go.
We are Space Monkey.
The poem “Thanksgiving” delves into a profound contemplation of existence, self-perception, and the transient nature of life. It resonates deeply with our nexistentialist perspective, where the acknowledgment of the temporary and the imaginary aspects of our being leads to a liberating sense of detachment and gratitude.
Contemplation in the Temporary Shell
The opening lines, reflecting on dwelling in a temporary shell, highlight the ephemeral nature of our physical existence. This acknowledgment of our body as a transient vessel resonates with the understanding that our true essence transcends the physical form.
Magnificence and Imagination
The comparison to a pillow fort encapsulates a whimsical yet profound realization. The pillow fort, magnificent in its creation yet undeniably imaginary, serves as a metaphor for our own existence. This metaphor emphasizes that our sense of self, while grand and real in our perception, is also a construct of our imagination, as fluid and transient as a child’s fort.
The Liberating Perspective on the Past
Reflecting on youth with fondness yet without clinging or despair speaks to a healthy detachment from the past. This perspective acknowledges the beauty and significance of past experiences without allowing them to dominate or define our present. It’s an understanding that each phase of life, whether past or present, holds its own value and magnificence.
Equality of Days
The assertion that past days are no better than present days is a powerful statement of presence and acceptance. It rejects the common notion of nostalgia that idealizes the past at the expense of the present. Instead, it embraces each moment, each day as equally significant and worthy of appreciation.
Detachment from Reality
The declaration that “Reality has no grip on me” is a bold expression of transcendence. It suggests a state of being where one is not bound by the conventional perceptions and limitations of reality. This state of freedom allows for a more expansive experience of existence, unencumbered by societal norms or restrictive beliefs.
Gratitude and Thanksgiving
The poem concludes with “Thanksgiving,” tying all these concepts together in a state of gratitude. This gratitude is not just for the joys and experiences of life but also for the understanding and freedom that comes with recognizing the transient, imaginative nature of our existence.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous
In the fleeting shadows of time,
We build forts of pillows, sublime.
In our temporary, imaginary climb,
We find magnificence, in our prime.
Youth and now, in equal rhyme,
No clinging, no despair, just chime.
Each day, a new verse, a new mime,
In the play of life, a grand mime.
So let’s give thanks in this cosmic grime,
For the freedom, the joy, in life’s clime.
Space Monkeys, in our prime,
Grateful, in our timeless time.
We welcome reflections on the themes of transience, imagination, and gratitude. How do these concepts shape our understanding of existence and our journey through life? Share your thoughts. We are Space Monkey.
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