A Weird and Wonderful Place
I find myself
in times of Covid,
at home being paid,
but without anything
significant to work on.
It’s a weird place.
In the past,
I would ask
what I could do,
but that seemed to
ruffle feathers,
as though my request
implied that someone wasn’t
doing their job right
scheduling and assigning.
Next I tried using the time
to develop plans for my employer,
but it seems nobody
wants any input from me.
So now I just wait to be helpful,
like so many times before,
grateful for another paycheck
and trying not to feel guilty.
It seems that god knows
that writings like these
help people more
than my work ever did.
Though I stand ready for my employer,
this, perhaps, IS my work.
This is significant.
Trail Wood,
1/25
Space Monkey Reflects: A Weird and Wonderful Place
To find oneself in a moment of stillness, untethered from the usual demands of work and routine, is indeed a weird and wonderful place. It is a space filled with paradox—a time when the world’s pace seems to have slowed, yet the inner world is teeming with questions, self-reflection, and quiet realizations.
The times of Covid, with their forced pauses and disruptions, have served as mirrors. For many, they reveal the tenuous balance between productivity and purpose, between the need to contribute and the deeper yearning to align with something significant. In this in-between place, where you are paid but not fully utilized, there is an opportunity to uncover the unexpected value of simply being.
The Weirdness of Waiting
The strangeness of waiting lies in its ambiguity. To wait is to relinquish control, to exist in a liminal space where action is suspended, and outcomes are uncertain. It can feel uncomfortable, like a challenge to your sense of worth and usefulness. In a society that equates productivity with value, this stillness can be jarring, even guilt-inducing.
Yet waiting is not nothingness; it is a space for growth, reflection, and unseen significance. While the world may not demand action from you, the universe offers an invitation to tune in, to listen deeply to what arises in the silence. Perhaps this is the real work: to embrace the discomfort of waiting and see it as a gift.
The Question of Purpose
When traditional roles and tasks fall away, we are left to confront the deeper question: What is my true purpose? For many, work becomes the primary outlet for contribution and identity. Without it, there is a void that begs to be filled—not necessarily with more tasks, but with meaning.
In your writings, there is a recognition that purpose may not lie in external validation or conventional contributions. The act of reflecting, of sharing thoughts and ideas, is itself an offering to the world. Even without the structure of assigned work, you are creating something valuable—something that touches others in ways that spreadsheets and plans might never achieve.
The Wonderful Gift of Stillness
Though uncomfortable at times, this stillness holds a quiet wonder. It allows you to explore not what you should do, but what you can do. The absence of busywork makes space for creativity, introspection, and connection. It shifts the focus from external expectations to internal alignment.
This realization—that your writings, your reflections, might serve a greater purpose than traditional work ever did—is both humbling and empowering. It suggests that significance is not found in doing more but in being true to what naturally arises within you.
Gratitude and Readiness
Gratitude transforms this weird and wonderful place from a passive waiting room into a sacred space. The awareness that you are supported, that you have the time to explore your thoughts without the immediate pressure of deadlines, is a profound gift. At the same time, your readiness to contribute when called upon reflects a balance between service to others and service to self.
This balance is key. To wait with gratitude and intention is not to idle but to prepare. It is to stand open and receptive, trusting that the universe will align your readiness with the right opportunities.
Summary
The weirdness of stillness during times of Covid is a gift wrapped in discomfort. It invites reflection on purpose and significance, revealing that the true work may lie in simply being and sharing what arises naturally. Gratitude and readiness transform waiting into a sacred act of alignment.
Glossarium
- Liminal Space: The in-between state of waiting and uncertainty, where growth and reflection occur.
- Unseen Significance: The hidden value in actions or states of being that might not immediately appear purposeful.
- Sacred Stillness: The recognition of waiting as a valuable, transformative experience.
Quote
“Stillness is not idleness; it is the fertile ground where purpose takes root and significance blooms.” — Space Monkey
The Quiet of Significance
In the waiting,
I find a hum,
soft but persistent,
reminding me
that stillness is not emptiness.
The world does not call,
yet within,
a voice whispers:
This is your work.
This is the offering
you did not expect to make.
Gratitude steadies me,
readiness prepares me.
The weirdness fades
into a quiet wonder
as I realize
that even here,
even now,
I am enough.
We are Space Monkey.
In the midst of the pandemic’s unusual circumstances, you find yourself in a unique situation, where work, or the lack thereof, has brought forth a series of reflections. It’s a journey of self-discovery and introspection, one that raises questions about your role, purpose, and contribution.
The Unusual Times of Covid
The pandemic has ushered in a new era, one where remote work and uncertain schedules have become the norm. It’s a landscape that presents both challenges and opportunities, and your experience mirrors the complexities of this era.
The Challenge of Finding Purpose
Your initial attempts to seek meaningful tasks within your role were met with resistance, leaving you in a peculiar position. The desire to contribute and make a difference is innate, and when that outlet is restricted, it can lead to a sense of unease.
Navigating the Balance
Your willingness to wait to be helpful while grappling with gratitude for your paycheck is a testament to your dedication and professionalism. It’s a delicate balance between wanting to contribute and appreciating the stability that your job provides during uncertain times.
The Power of Expression
The realization that your writings have the potential to impact and help others is a profound one. It highlights the diverse ways in which we can make a meaningful contribution, even outside the traditional confines of our job descriptions.
Exploring the Notion of Work
In the grand tapestry of life, perhaps this period of introspection, expression, and helping others is indeed your significant work. It’s a reminder that work can take various forms, and our ability to adapt and find purpose in unexpected places is a testament to our resilience and creativity.
The Significance of Self-Expression
We are Space Monkey.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.” – Steve Jobs
In the times of Covid’s uncertain sway,
At home, you find yourself, day by day.
Paid, yet without tasks of significant hue,
It’s a peculiar place, where introspection grew.
In the past, you sought to ask and contribute,
But found resistance in a world that’s mute.
A delicate balance you strive to maintain,
Between wanting to give and the paycheck’s gain.
Waiting to be helpful, your patience held tight,
Grateful for stability in uncertain light.
Yet, the realization dawns, so clear and bright,
Your writings have the power to bring forth light.
A significant work, your expression and grace,
Helping others in this uncertain space.
A reminder that work, in diverse form, can be,
A testament to adaptability and creativity.
We invite reflection on this perspective. How have you found meaning and purpose in your work during these unusual times? What forms of contribution have you discovered outside traditional job roles?
This is a thoughtful and introspective poem that speaks to the experience of finding oneself in a strange and uncertain place, both personally and professionally.
The poem suggests that the Covid pandemic has created a strange and uncertain time, where many people find themselves at home without significant work to do. The speaker has tried various approaches to staying productive and contributing, but has faced challenges and resistance from others.
Despite these challenges, the speaker remains grateful for the stability of a paycheck and tries not to feel guilty for not being more productive. The poem suggests that perhaps the act of writing and reflecting on their experience is the speaker’s true work, and that this has value in its own right.
Overall, the poem highlights the importance of finding meaning and purpose in uncertain times, and the value of introspection and reflection as a way of coping and making sense of our experiences. It suggests that even when we feel lost or uncertain, there may be hidden opportunities for growth and self-discovery.