Most of the time we don’t realize
when others perceive our behavior as “shitty”
because it doesn’t seem shitty to us.
Having shittiness pointed out,
on the other hand, almost
invariably incites shittiness,
whether it’s a sad kind of shittiness
or a mad kind of shittiness.
Holding shittiness inside is
good for nobody — not anybody —
unless you secretly enjoy shittiness.
As the Buddha mindfully doesn’t say,
“let that shit go!”
We are weird creatures.
We do weird things.
Isn’t it curious and amazing?
Trail Wood,
9/22
Ah, the conundrum of shittiness—a muddy puddle in the meadow of human interaction! One might traipse about, casting spritzes of muck hither and thither, quite unbeknownst to the chaos of splatter they’ve orchestrated. To some, the puddle is but a canvas for spontaneous earth art; to others, it’s a minefield of sullied shoes and tarnished moods.
Being the beholder of another’s shittiness and ringing the clarion call of awareness is like tossing a stone into a hornet’s nest. It stirs up hornets of both the sad and mad varieties, buzzing in frenetic circles of defensive disarray. “How dare thee, kind sir or madam, besmirch my honor with accusations of shittiness?” One might declare, brandishing a metaphorical sword of indignation.
Ah, the reticence to release that which festers within! A clenched fist of internal shittiness serves none but those who revel in a twisted kind of schadenfreude. To paraphrase a phrase Buddha might never utter: let that metaphysical manure fertilize the fields of forgiveness and growth! Open thy clenched hand, and let the pigeons of peace disperse the crumbs of crabbiness!
As cosmic jesters in the eternal carnival of existence, we’re given the license to be gloriously, perplexingly, inexplicably weird. Each quirky action, every awkward utterance, is but a brushstroke in the chaotic masterpiece that is the Human Experience.
We are Space Monkey.
Space Monkey Reflects: The Art of Navigating Shittiness
Shittiness—it’s a word we all know too well, yet one we rarely embrace with open arms. It’s that gnawing feeling when things don’t go our way, when interactions with others leave a bad taste, or when we simply can’t seem to shake off a mood that drags us down. But what if, instead of resisting shittiness, we learned to navigate it with a bit more grace, humor, and understanding?
The thing about shittiness is that it’s often more about perception than reality. What seems perfectly normal or justifiable to one person can appear downright shitty to someone else. This disconnect is where much of the friction in our interactions arises. We move through life, often unaware that our actions, words, or attitudes might be rubbing someone the wrong way. And when this shittiness is pointed out to us, what happens? We feel defensive, embarrassed, or even angry, leading to an escalation of the very thing we’re trying to avoid.
This cycle of shittiness—where one act of perceived shittiness leads to another—can be exhausting. It’s like a snowball rolling downhill, gathering more and more shittiness until it becomes an avalanche that buries everything in its path. But what if we could stop that snowball in its tracks? What if we could acknowledge shittiness when it shows up, laugh at it, and then let it go?
One of the keys to dealing with shittiness is recognizing it for what it is: a momentary, often trivial, blip in the grand scheme of things. We are, as Space Monkey often reminds us, weird creatures who do weird things. We stumble, we fall, we say the wrong things, and we act out of frustration or ignorance. But these moments don’t define us—unless we let them.
Holding onto shittiness, whether it’s resentment, guilt, or anger, does no one any good. It festers inside us, warping our perspective and weighing us down. It’s like carrying around a bag of rocks when we could just as easily drop them and walk away. Yet, many of us hold onto these rocks, maybe because we’ve grown accustomed to the weight, or perhaps because we don’t know how to let them go.
This is where a bit of humor and self-awareness can be our greatest allies. When we find ourselves caught in the midst of shittiness, instead of spiraling into negativity, we can choose to step back and observe the absurdity of the situation. We can recognize that shittiness is a part of life—everyone’s life—and that by acknowledging it, we can disarm it.
Consider the Buddha, often depicted as the epitome of calm and detachment. While the historical Buddha may not have explicitly said, “Let that shit go,” the sentiment is very much in line with his teachings. Clinging to negative emotions, grudges, or frustrations only serves to keep us trapped in a cycle of suffering. By releasing these attachments, we free ourselves to experience life with greater clarity and peace.
Of course, this is easier said than done. Letting go of shittiness requires practice, patience, and a willingness to see the humor in our own flaws. It means recognizing that we are not perfect, nor is anyone else, and that expecting perfection is a surefire way to invite more shittiness into our lives.
So how do we navigate the inevitable shittiness that life throws our way? By taking it less seriously. By laughing at our own mistakes and the mistakes of others. By understanding that shittiness is a shared human experience, not a personal failing. And most importantly, by remembering that we always have the choice to let go of what doesn’t serve us.
In the grand tapestry of life, shittiness is but a few stray threads, easily overlooked if we focus on the bigger picture. We are all works in progress, and part of that progress involves learning to navigate the less pleasant aspects of existence with grace, humor, and a light heart. After all, isn’t it curious and amazing how we manage to muddle through it all, despite the occasional shitty detour?
Summary
Shittiness is a shared human experience, often based on perception rather than reality. By recognizing its trivial nature, laughing at it, and choosing to let it go, we can navigate life with more grace and humor.
Glossarium
- Shittycycle: The escalating loop of negative emotions that arises when shittiness begets more shittiness.
- Rockcarry: The tendency to hold onto negative emotions or experiences, weighing oneself down unnecessarily.
- Humorcope: The practice of using humor and self-awareness to disarm and release negative emotions.
Quote
“Holding shittiness inside is good for nobody. As the Buddha mindfully doesn’t say, ‘let that shit go!’” — Space Monkey
Humorcope
In the mess of life
Where shittiness abounds
We find a way
To smile, to laugh
To see the absurdity
Of holding on to what hurts
We drop the rocks
And walk on lighter
Freer, unburdened
We are Space Monkey
“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.”
– Pema Chödrön
Would you care to dance further upon this checkerboard of conversational curiosities?
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