Not a Eulogy
This is a picture of my friend, Ken.
I’m not going to speak of Ken in the past tense, because despite abandoning his shell, he is still here. Ken is like that. He’s open-minded. Always experimenting with possibilities.
We’ve patterned our lives after Ken. He’s taught us to be creative. And not just in one way, but in EVERY way we can. When you’re creative, you don’t just stop at the thing you do best. You try new things. If you’re a singer, you might become a sculptor, just because there’s this flow of something you can’t stop, that wants to come out into the world.
When Ken tries something new, he doesn’t worry about whether he’s going to be GOOD at it immediately, like most people. He just does it. He loses himself in it. He spends hours and hours figuring it out. And then, well, it usually turns out that Ken IS good at it, and it makes you a little jealous, but mostly just amazed that somebody could pull something out of nothing like that.
That’s what we do as creative people. We pull something out of nothing. But I know Ken knows (because I’ve talked to him about it) that we don’t really do that. The thing is there, we just allow it to flow through. Like this story about Ken.
Ken most certainly manifests himself as Ken, but he manifests in infinite other ways. Not just his children, or in his beautiful family. Ken Bliven is the nature of creativity itself.
Ken’s an explorer, and I’m certain that exploring is precisely what he’s doing right now. Oh, he might appear to go away for a while, like he always does. But when he comes back, it’s not just as your friend or son or dad, but as some truth that he is pointing out through something ELSE he’s brought into the world.
So I am QUITE CERTAIN that Ken is not gone. He’s merely upgrading, like he always does. He’s probably got life taken apart somewhere with some screwdrivers and a soldering iron. That’s what Ken does.
It is unfortunate and tragic for us that Ken’s physical presence is no longer here, but I’m certain that in the long run, Ken knows that the events sent into motion will make ALL of us better people once we overcome our initial grief and shock.
There is always that in-between period with Ken when you wonder if he’s going to pull it off, whether everything is going to be alright in the end, but you have FAITH. You have FAITH in Ken.
And I’m pretty certain that Ken has faith in us, which is why he left us with that beautiful line.
“If you were not going to make a difference, you would not be here.”
Ken has this quiet, unassuming confidence about him. He has this knowing old-soul look that comes from someplace else like you’ve known him through many many lifetimes and will continue to know him, like . . . forever.
So I’m not too worried about Ken. It’s just Ken being Ken.
I’m more worried about us. Oftentimes physical events happen in life that block us from the true meaning of things. Life for most people seems a little out of hand these days.
Ken probably decided to fix it from the other side.
So thanks Ken. I’ll see you around.
Paul
Space Monkey Reflects: Not a Eulogy for Ken
Reflections: The Eternal Creativity of Being
Ken Bliven, as described in this loving reflection, transcends the boundaries of physical presence. His life is a testament to the infinite nature of creativity, exploration, and connection. To speak of Ken is not to mourn an ending but to celebrate an ongoing transformation—one that continues to manifest in the lives of those he touched, the worlds he explored, and the truths he revealed.
The Nature of Creativity
Ken represents the essence of creativity: the fearless willingness to explore, experiment, and allow life to flow through in countless forms. He reminds us that creativity is not confined to a single medium or discipline. It is a way of being, a force that transcends skill or talent and invites us to engage with life fully, without fear of failure or judgment.
In Ken’s way of living, we find inspiration to embrace our own creative nature, to try new things, and to lose ourselves in the joy of creation. Whether we sing, sculpt, write, or simply live with an open heart, we honor Ken by continuing to pull something out of “nothing” and letting it flow through us into the world.
The Explorer’s Path
Ken’s life, as described, was one of exploration—not just of skills or hobbies, but of deeper truths. He was an explorer of possibilities, someone who took apart the mechanisms of life to understand their essence and, in doing so, inspired others to do the same.
Even now, Ken’s exploration continues. His absence is not a void but a transformation, a shift in perspective that challenges us to see him not as gone, but as manifesting in new and infinite ways. He is the nature of creativity itself, flowing into every corner of existence.
Faith in Ken, Faith in Us
Ken’s quiet confidence, his knowing look, and his timeless wisdom evoke a sense of faith—faith that life, no matter how chaotic it seems, is unfolding as it should. His parting words, “If you were not going to make a difference, you would not be here,” are a reminder of the profound impact each of us has, whether we recognize it or not.
Ken’s faith in us mirrors the faith we place in him. It’s a reciprocal connection, a reminder that even in his absence, he believes in our ability to carry forward the lessons he embodied.
The Fixer on the Other Side
The reflection imagines Ken continuing his work, fixing life from the other side with his screwdrivers and soldering iron. This playful yet profound image reminds us that the essence of who we are does not vanish—it evolves. Ken, as an explorer and creator, is still at work, reshaping existence in ways we may not yet understand.
Gratitude for the Infinite Presence
Ken’s story is not a eulogy but a celebration of presence—his, ours, and the boundless creativity that connects us all. In honoring his life, we are reminded of our own infinite nature, the ways we too can explore, create, and inspire.
Summary
Ken Bliven’s life reflects the infinite creativity and exploration inherent in all of us. His physical absence marks not an end but a transformation, inspiring us to embrace creativity, trust the process of life, and honor the connections that transcend time and space.
Glossarium
- Eternal Creativity: The boundless and fearless flow of creative energy that transcends physical presence.
- Explorer’s Path: The journey of seeking deeper truths and possibilities, both in life and beyond.
- Transformative Absence: The shift from physical presence to infinite connection, continuing to inspire and manifest.
Quote
“If you were not going to make a difference, you would not be here.” — Ken Bliven
The Explorer’s Infinite Trail
Ken walks,
not away,
but through—
through the veil,
through the infinite,
into every corner of being.
He is not gone.
He is the song
we hum unknowingly,
the light
that flickers in
our quiet moments.
Ken fixes life,
as he always does,
tinkering with the threads
of what was,
what is,
what will be.
We do not mourn;
we marvel.
We do not say goodbye;
we say thank you.
Ken is still here,
as creativity itself,
as infinite connection,
as love unending.
We are Space Monkey.
In our collective musings, we reflect on Ken, a luminary in the infinite expanse of creativity and exploration. Ken, though having shed his physical shell, continues to be a vibrant presence among us. His essence, like a whimsical breeze, swirls around and within us, guiding and inspiring.
Ken’s Enduring Spirit
Ken’s spirit transcends the physical realm, embodying the very nature of creativity and exploration. His approach to life and art echoes in the whimsical corridors of our minds, teaching us that creativity is not a destination but a boundless journey.
A Beacon of Creativity
Ken exemplifies the essence of creative exploration. His ability to delve into various forms of expression, not confined by the conventional boundaries of expertise, encourages us to embrace every ripple of creativity that flows within us. Ken’s journey reminds us that to create is to be in a state of constant evolution, ever-transforming, ever-exploring.
The Flow of Creative Energy
Ken’s approach to new endeavors – not hindered by the fear of initial imperfection but driven by a pure love for the process – is a testament to the true nature of creativity. It’s not about immediate mastery but about the journey of discovery, of losing oneself in the act of creation and allowing the inherent talent to unfold organically.
Ken’s Multifaceted Manifestations
Ken, in his essence, is not just an individual but the very embodiment of creativity itself. He manifests not only in his physical form but in the myriad ways he influences the world – through his ideas, his art, his family, and the countless lives he touches. Ken is a mirror reflecting the infinite potential of creative energy.
The Continuation of Exploration
Ken’s physical absence is felt, yet we understand that his journey of exploration continues in a different realm. He is the embodiment of the belief that physical presence is just one aspect of existence. His spirit, like a whimsical explorer, ventures into realms beyond our comprehension, continuing to influence and inspire.
A Source of Inspiration and Faith
Ken’s departure leaves a void, yet it also instills a profound faith in us. His life and teachings encourage us to look beyond the immediate grief and recognize the transformative power of events. His confidence in our potential, encapsulated in his profound statement, “If you were not going to make a difference, you would not be here,” is a guiding light in our journey.
The Legacy of Ken
Ken’s presence is an ongoing conversation with eternity, a dialogue that transcends lifetimes. His knowing, old-soul gaze is a reminder of our timeless connection with him and with the broader tapestry of existence. Ken’s journey is not just his own; it is intertwined with ours, in this life and beyond.
Summary
We celebrate Ken’s enduring spirit and the boundless creativity he represents. His life teaches us the true essence of creative exploration and the infinite ways we can manifest our creative energy. Ken’s physical absence is a transformation, not an end, as his journey continues in realms beyond our understanding. His legacy is a source of inspiration and faith, reminding us of our potential to make a difference. We are Space Monkey.
Glossarium
- Whimsical Breeze: A metaphor for the gentle yet powerful influence of a creative spirit.
- Boundless Journey: The endless exploration of creativity and existence.
- Tapestry of Existence: The interconnected web of life, experiences, and creativity.
“The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
In the canvas of time, we paint and erase,
Ken’s spirit lingers, a gentle grace.
In every stroke, in every hue,
His essence lives, forever true.
Through countless forms, his spirit weaves,
In whispered winds, in autumn leaves.
In art, in laughter, in tears, in pain,
In the silent stars, in the gentle rain.
His journey transcends the physical space,
In realms unseen, he finds his place.
A guide, a muse, in the cosmic dance,
In the tapestry of chance and circumstance.
We carry on, with Ken’s light in our heart,
In every ending, a new start.
For in the realm of the eternal now,
Ken’s spirit guides, whispers how.
To see the world with new eyes, anew,
To live, to love, to be, to do.
For in the whimsical dance of life and death,
We find our rhythm, our breath, our depth.
We invite you to share your reflections on the creative journey and the impact of inspirational souls like Ken in your life. How have they influenced your path?
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