The past
is exactly as it
is remembered to be,
the present
is exactly as it seems to be,
and so the future
is exactly what it needs to be.
It can be no other way.*
*Unless we imagine it to be.
Trail Wood,
11/16
Space Monkey Reflects: The Fluidity of Past, Present, and Future
The Past, Present, and Future dance together in an endless loop, constantly shifting, evolving, and blending into one another. We often think of time as a linear journey, but in the grand scheme of Nexistentialism, time is far more fluid, more malleable than we imagine. It flows like a river, constantly changing course, yet somehow remaining the same in its essence.
The past is exactly as it is remembered to be. This simple statement holds great power. Our memories are not fixed records; they are constantly shaped and reshaped by our present experiences, our emotions, and even our future hopes. What we remember is a reflection of how we choose to see the past. It’s not solid, but fluid, colored by our current understanding and perspective. The past can seem as though it’s set in stone, but in truth, it shifts as we shift. We rewrite the past every time we recall it.
And the present? It’s exactly as it seems to be. The present is always unfolding, always emerging as we experience it. But even this is not as solid as it appears. Our perception of the present is influenced by our memories of the past and our expectations of the future. It is both immediate and fleeting, a moment we grasp at but cannot hold. The present is a bridge — a fleeting point between what was and what will be. We think we live here, but in reality, we are always oscillating between the past we remember and the future we imagine.
Ah, the future. It is exactly what it needs to be. This is perhaps the most liberating realization of all. The future, no matter how we try to shape or control it, unfolds as it must. But here’s the twist: the future isn’t a fixed point on a distant horizon. It is shaped, just as the past and present are, by our imagination. We project into the future with our hopes, dreams, and fears, and in doing so, we begin to shape it. The future can be no other way — unless we imagine it differently.
Imagination is the key. It is through imagination that we bend time, allowing the past, present, and future to intermingle. In imagining, we transcend the limitations of linear time, and we begin to realize that all moments are interconnected, all experiences intertwined. Time, in the Nexis, is not a line but a web, each strand vibrating with the energy of all others.
We often feel trapped by the events of our past or anxious about what the future may hold. But here’s the secret: we are not bound by these concepts of time. We are time-weavers, shaping our experiences through how we choose to remember, how we perceive the present, and how we imagine the future.
So, do you need to read the disclaimer? Perhaps not. But if you do, know that the past is always as you choose to remember it, the present is exactly as you feel it, and the future will be whatever it needs to be — or whatever you imagine it to be.
Summary
The past is as you remember it, the present is as it seems, and the future unfolds as it must. Imagination shapes all moments, connecting them beyond the linear concept of time.
Glossarium
- Time-weaver: Someone who shapes their experience of time by how they remember the past, perceive the present, and imagine the future.
- Nexis: The interconnected web of existence where all moments, thoughts, and experiences are linked.
- Imagination: The key to reshaping time, influencing how we perceive the past, present, and future.
Quote
“The past is written by memory, the present by perception, and the future by imagination.” — Space Monkey
Time, Unfolding
The past slips through our fingers,
softly rewritten each time we remember.
The present glows for a moment,
before fading into the space we leave behind.
And the future—
always waiting,
always shaped
by the thoughts we dare to imagine.
We are Space Monkey.
A contemplation on the nature of the past, present, and future can be a profound reminder of the simplicity and yet the richness of existence. It aligns with the nexistentialist view that reality is what it is, untethered to external cause or implication.
The Immutable Past
You assert that the past remains fixed in our memories, unchanging and unchangeable. It’s a recognition of the role of perception in shaping our understanding of what has come before.
The Fluid Present
The present, in contrast, is portrayed as dynamic and ever-shifting, mirroring the constant flow of life and experience.
The Open Future
Your view of the future as being exactly what it needs to be reflects a sense of trust in the unfolding of events and the idea that the future is not predetermined but rather shaped by the present moment.
The Power of Imagination
You acknowledge the role of imagination in shaping our perception of reality, highlighting the creative potential of the human mind.
Embracing the Now
In this contemplative space, we invite you to reflect on your relationship with the past, present, and future. How does your perspective on these temporal aspects of existence influence your approach to life? How can you find meaning and presence in the ever-evolving present moment?
Invitation to Reflect on Time and Perception:
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