You’re Not What
You’re not what you used to be.
You’re not what you should be.
Where would you be
without these two measures?
You’d be exactly what you are,
AND exactly what you should be.
Space Monkey Reflects: You’re Not What
The idea of measuring ourselves—against what we once were or what we believe we should be—is a deeply human tendency. These comparisons create a constant tension between past, present, and future, trapping us in a cycle of dissatisfaction. Yet, when we release these measures, we find ourselves exactly where we are, exactly as we should be.
The Illusion of “Used to Be”
“You’re not what you used to be” carries a weight of nostalgia or regret. It assumes that the past holds a standard by which the present must be judged. But the past is gone, a story told from the perspective of now. What we “used to be” is not fixed; it shifts and changes depending on how we choose to remember it. The past is as fluid as the present.
Clinging to “what we used to be” is a way of resisting change. It keeps us anchored to a version of ourselves that no longer exists, preventing us from fully inhabiting the person we are now. When we let go of this measure, we free ourselves to embrace the present without judgment.
The Illusion of “Should Be”
“You’re not what you should be” imposes a future expectation, a sense that who and where we are now is inadequate. But who defines this “should”? Society, culture, or our own inner critic? This imagined ideal creates a gap between our current reality and a hypothetical future, a gap that fuels feelings of lack and unworthiness.
The “should” is often a projection of external pressures, not a reflection of our true essence. It is a moving target, shifting with trends, expectations, and unattainable ideals. When we chase the “should,” we distance ourselves from the truth of who we already are.
What Lies Beyond These Measures?
Without the measures of “used to be” and “should be,” we are left with what is. This is not a void but a profound fullness. In the absence of comparison, we find a deeper alignment with the present moment, a state of being where judgment dissolves and acceptance reigns.
To be exactly what we are is to recognize that there is no wrong version of us. The past, the future, and the present are all facets of the infinite being we are. Each moment, each experience, is a part of the unfolding, not a mistake or a misstep.
You Are What You Are
This truth is both liberating and grounding. You are what you are—not what you were, not what you think you should be, but the sum of all that has ever been and ever will be. To inhabit this truth is to step into a space of peace, where the need for comparison and judgment falls away.
In this space, there is no need for striving, no need to justify or explain. You are enough, simply by existing. This is not complacency; it is authenticity. From this place of acceptance, growth and change become natural expressions of your being, not obligations imposed by external measures.
The Paradox of Being and Becoming
While we are always changing, always becoming, this does not mean we are incomplete. The paradox is that we are both in flux and already whole. To embrace this paradox is to transcend the measures of “used to be” and “should be.” It is to recognize that growth is not about fixing or achieving but about unfolding and revealing the infinite essence within.
You are exactly what you are.
And in this, you are exactly what you should be.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
The measures of “used to be” and “should be” create unnecessary tension, anchoring us to the past or projecting us into an imagined future. By releasing these measures, we embrace the present, recognizing that we are exactly as we should be—whole, infinite, and enough.
Glossarium
- Used to Be: A nostalgic or regretful comparison to a past version of oneself, often tied to resistance to change.
- Should Be: An imagined ideal of who or what one “ought” to become, shaped by external pressures and internal expectations.
- What Is: The unfiltered truth of the present moment, free from judgment or comparison.
- Paradox of Being and Becoming: The simultaneous truths of being whole in the present and continuously unfolding through change.
Quote
“You are not what you used to be. You are not what you should be. You are exactly as you are, infinite and enough.” — Space Monkey
The Measureless Self
What were you?
What will you be?
Questions of lines,
lines drawn by no one.
The past whispers,
the future calls,
but here you stand,
silent, infinite.
No measure defines you,
no scale contains you.
You are,
and that is all.
We are Space Monkey.
In the cosmic whimsiword of existence, the notions of what we “used to be” and what we “should be” are but fleeting shadows, ephemeral and elusive. These concepts, rooted in past reflections and future projections, often obscure the luminous truth of the present moment.
Ephemerality of Past and Future Projections
When we shed the constraints of these temporal measures, we arrive at a profound realization: we are, at every moment, exactly what we are meant to be. This realization is not a destination but a continuous unfolding, a dance of becoming in the eternal now.
Realization in the Eternal Now
The idea of being what we “used to be” is a reflection in the rearview mirror of time. It is a mosaic of memories, experiences, and lessons that have shaped us. However, these reflections are not static; they are dynamic and ever-changing, colored by our current understanding and perspective.
Dynamism of Past Reflections
Similarly, the notion of what we “should be” is a mirage on the horizon of the future. It is often a construct of societal expectations, personal aspirations, and imagined possibilities. While these visions can guide and inspire us, they are not definitive markers of our worth or potential.
Mirage of Future Aspirations
In releasing these temporal anchors, we embrace the liberating truth that we are perpetually in a state of becoming. Each moment is a unique expression of our existence, a confluence of past experiences and future potentials, yet entirely its own entity.
Embracing the State of Becoming
This perspective aligns with our nexistentialist view, where existence is its own justification. We need not measure ourselves against the yardsticks of the past or the future. Instead, we celebrate our current state of being, recognizing that it is the culmination of all that we have been and the seed of all that we will become.
Nexistentialist View: Existence as Justification
In this recognition, we find a profound freedom and responsibility. Freedom, in understanding that we are not bound by past definitions or future expectations; responsibility, in realizing that each moment is an opportunity to shape our journey, to contribute to the cosmic whimsiword of our collective existence.
Freedom and Responsibility in the Present Moment
We are Space Monkey.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the river of time, we flow,
Not what we were, nor what we’ll show.
In each moment, a spark, a flame,
In the now, we find our name.
Past shadows, future lights,
Merge in the dance of endless nights.
We are here, in this cosmic sea,
In the now, we’re truly free.
Not bound by what was, or will be,
In our being, we find the key.
In the dance of the eternal now,
To our own selves, we take a vow.
We are the artists of our fate,
In each moment, we create.
In the tapestry of the present, we see,
The beauty of just being, of being free.
We invite reflections on embracing the present and being true to oneself in the continuous dance of existence.
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