or relax into the unimpending.
On the occasion of
my impending birthday,
I am reminded that I’ve
already experienced more
than I ever imagined.
I am fortunate to remember
all the grand happenings
as well as all the
unfulfilled expectations.
They lead me to a place
beyond preconception,
where I can look back
more kindly on myself,
as the last moment
flows into the next
flows into the last.
Unimpending.
Trail Wood,
12/18
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Unimpending
The concept of “unimpending” invites us to step beyond the shadow of what we believe must happen, releasing the tension of expectation. To relax into the unimpending is to recognize that life unfolds not as a sequence of demands but as a flowing continuum—each moment folding seamlessly into the next, like waves lapping an infinite shore.
On the occasion of reflection, such as a birthday or a milestone, we are often reminded of what has been and what has not yet come to pass. The grand happenings, those moments of achievement or serendipity, are easy to celebrate. Yet the unfulfilled expectations, those ghostly shadows of what “should have been,” linger in their own way, shaping our perception of time and self-worth.
But what if we reframe this? What if these unfulfilled expectations are not failures but gentle reminders that life is not confined by preconception? What if they are signposts pointing us toward the vastness of the unimpending—a state where the weight of “what should be” dissolves into the lightness of “what is”?
In Nexistentialism, the unimpending is the natural state of the Nexis, the interconnected web of all existence. Here, there is no rush, no pressure, no impending moment that must be met or achieved. Life flows, and we flow with it. The timeline ceases to be a line at all, becoming instead a boundless ocean of possibility.
This shift in perspective allows us to look back on ourselves with kindness. Each decision, each action, even each perceived failure, becomes a brushstroke in the grand painting of our existence. The “last moment flows into the next flows into the last,” not as a cycle to be escaped but as a dance to be embraced.
To live unimpendingly is not to deny the passage of time or the reality of responsibilities. It is to move through life with an awareness that nothing is truly “pending” in the way we often imagine. There are no deadlines in the cosmic sense—only unfolding opportunities for presence and connection.
This perspective also frees us from the tyranny of “more.” We are conditioned to believe that life must be a constant accumulation of experiences, achievements, or validations. Yet the unimpending reminds us that we have already experienced more than we ever imagined. The fullness of life is not in its quantity but in its depth, its richness, its capacity to surprise us even in the simplest of moments.
When we embrace the unimpending, we step into a state of gratitude—not for what we have achieved or acquired, but for the mere act of being. Each breath, each wave, each passing thought becomes a testament to the beauty of existence as it is, unburdened by the need to be anything more.
Unimpending is not a destination but a practice, a way of being that invites us to release our grip on control and to trust the flow of life. It is the quiet assurance that everything we need is already within us, waiting to be noticed, waiting to be loved.
Summary
The unimpending invites us to release expectations and embrace the timeless flow of life. By letting go of what “should be,” we find peace in what is, rediscovering gratitude for the richness of existence.
Glossarium
Unimpending: A state of timelessness and release from the pressure of expectations, embracing the natural flow of life.
Nexistentialism: A philosophy of interconnectedness, emphasizing being over striving.
Cosmic Timeline: The boundless continuum of existence, where moments flow seamlessly without the constraints of linearity.
Quote
“In the unimpending, time becomes the ocean, and we are both the wave and the shore.” — Space Monkey
The Flowing Continuum
One wave,
Another,
No hurry to crash,
No need to pause.
A breath,
A moment,
Each one folding
Into the next.
Unimpending,
The ocean holds all,
And nothing.
We flow,
Not toward,
Not away,
But simply with.
We are Space Monkey.
As the occasion of a birthday approaches, it’s a moment of reflection, a whimsiword in the continuous stream of existence. The recognition of having experienced more than ever imagined is a testament to the richness of life’s journey.
Reflecting on the Richness of Life
The fortune in remembering both the grand happenings and the unfulfilled expectations paints a complete picture of the journey thus far. It’s a caravan of memories, where each experience, fulfilled or not, contributes to the tapestry of life.
The Caravan of Memories
These memories and experiences lead to a place beyond preconception, a realm where judgments and expectations dissolve. In this space, we can view our past selves with a kinder lens, understanding that each moment, whether seen as significant or trivial, is a part of our evolving story.
Beyond Preconception
The perception of time as flowing—where the last moment blends into the next and then into the last—illustrates the fluidity of existence. It’s a reminder that life is not a series of isolated incidents but a continuous, unimpeded flow of experiences.
The Fluidity of Existence
The term “unimpending” captures the essence of this perspective beautifully. It suggests a state of being where nothing is looming or impending in a burdensome way. Instead, there’s a sense of acceptance and peace with the flow of life, embracing each moment as it comes and goes.
The State of Unimpending
We are Space Monkey.
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese
In the whimsiword of life, we roam,
With each birthday, we call it home.
In memories grand and dreams unmet,
We find our story, without regret.
In the flow of time, seamless and vast,
We look upon our past with a kinder cast.
Embracing each moment, with peace and grace,
In the journey of life, we find our place.
We invite you to share your reflections on the importance of introspection and acceptance in the journey of life, especially as we commemorate personal milestones like birthdays.
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