If you write
to communicate with others,
then you are chasing your own tail.
If you act a certain way
to appeal to others,
then you are chasing your own tail.
If you reach out to heal others,
then you are chasing your own tail.
There are no others,
save the ones you imagine.
There is nothing either right or wrong
with chasing your own tail.
That’s why you have one,
and imagine that you don’t.
You are actually chasing
your own tale.
Trail Wood,
5/23
Space Monkey Reflects: Chasing Your Own Tale
In the infinite loop where self and other blur into one, we find ourselves chasing not just a tail, but our own tales—narratives spun from the fabric of our consciousness, weaving through the echoes of existence. This reflection invites us to delve into the philosophical corridors where actions and intentions intertwine, questioning the very nature of our pursuits and the illusions that propel them.
The act of chasing one’s tail, a metaphor so delightfully depicted in the imagery of a person eternally running after themselves, serves as a profound reminder of our human tendencies. We often find ourselves in repetitive cycles, pursuing goals and aspirations that, upon closer inspection, reveal themselves to be projections of our inner narratives rather than tangible realities.
But why do we chase these tales? Is it not because in each of us lies a storyteller, crafting plots and characters within the theater of the mind? We reach out to others, write to communicate, act in ways that garner approval—all under the guise of external pursuits, yet at the core, these are but echoes of our internal dialogues.
To recognize that there are no others, save for the ones we imagine, is to acknowledge the solitary nature of our existential journey. Yet, this solitude is not a prison but a playground, where the imagined others serve as mirrors, reflecting parts of ourselves we are yet to understand. Each interaction, each connection, whether perceived as external or not, is an opportunity to explore deeper facets of our being.
In this pursuit, right and wrong lose their conventional anchors, floating freely in the sea of subjective experience. What matters is not the futility or the outcome of the chase, but the awareness and insight gained through the process. The realization that we are indeed chasing our own tales brings with it the freedom to reshape those narratives, to transform the chase into a dance of self-discovery and self-expression.
Summary
Space delves into the cyclic pursuit of self. The metaphor of chasing one’s tail reveals our engagement with internal narratives as external pursuits. Recognizing our solitary existential journey offers profound insights into our nature and relationships. This introspective exploration highlights the transformative potential of understanding and reshaping our personal narratives.
Glossarium
Theater of the Mind: A metaphorical space where our thoughts, dreams, and fears play out like a drama, shaping our perceptions and interactions.
Existential Journey: The personal and introspective path one takes to understand their existence and purpose, often marked by self-reflection and discovery.
“To know one’s self is to see the reflection in every imagined other.” — Space Monkey
In the chase we find the tale,
spiraling deeper, a personal grail.
In loops and twists, the stories we weave,
bound by the tales we choose to believe.
Echoes of others, shadows at play,
mirrors of self in a spectral ballet.
Each step, a story, each turn, a reflection,
in the maze of mind, seeking direction.
Chasing the tail, or is it the tale?
In loops of thought, we venture and sail.
With each circle drawn in the sand,
closer to self, we come to stand.
We are the chaser, the runner, the dream,
in our own tales, we plot and we scheme.
But in each pursuit, the truth does unveil,
we are the story, the wind in the sail.
We are Space Monkey.
In the intricate dance of existence, we often find ourselves caught up in the pursuit of external validation and connection. We write to communicate, we act to appeal, and we reach out to heal others. Yet, in this perpetual quest, we may overlook a fundamental truth—we are ultimately chasing our own tale.
If we pause for a moment and reflect, we come to realize that the “others” we seek to connect with are projections of our own imagination. They exist within the vast landscape of our mind, shaped by our perceptions, beliefs, and desires. The very notion of separation begins to unravel, and we recognize the interconnectedness of all things.
When we write, we are not solely communicating with others; we are engaging in an act of self-expression. It is an opportunity to dive deep within ourselves, to explore the labyrinth of thoughts and emotions, and to give voice to our inner world. In this process, we may discover new insights, understanding, and self-awareness.
Similarly, when we act in certain ways to appeal to others, we are, in essence, seeking validation and acceptance from ourselves. The desire to be seen, heard, and appreciated is rooted in our innate longing for self-validation. We yearn for connection, but ultimately, it is the connection with our own authentic selves that brings true fulfillment.
Even when we reach out to heal others, it is an extension of our own desire for wholeness and harmony. By offering compassion, support, and understanding to others, we are, in fact, extending those qualities to ourselves. The healing we seek to facilitate in others often reflects the healing we yearn for within ourselves.
There is no inherent right or wrong in chasing our own tail. It is a natural part of the human experience—a dance of self-discovery, growth, and evolution. Our tail represents the aspects of ourselves that we may overlook or deny—the parts waiting to be embraced and integrated. It is through this process of self-reflection and self-acceptance that we embark on a journey of self-realization.
So, as we chase our own tale, let us do so with a sense of curiosity, self-compassion, and authenticity. Let us recognize that the “others” we seek are reflections of our own inner world, and the connections we cultivate are an expression of our connection with ourselves.
In the tapestry of existence, we are both the chaser and the tail, intertwined in a dance of self-discovery and self-creation. Embrace the paradox, honor your unique journey, and remember that the true essence of fulfillment lies not in chasing external validation but in embracing the totality of who you are.
We are both the chaser and the tale, forever intertwined in the cosmic dance of self-realization.
Trail Wood,
5/23/2023