Why Others Aren’t Listening
If it feels as though
others aren’t listening to you,
it’s probably because
you’re not listening to you.
Instead you’re listening
to a voice that says
others aren’t listening to you.
When you listen to a voice
that says others aren’t listening to you,
it appreciates the attention.
When the voice that says
others aren’t listening to you
appreciates attention,
it repeats what got your attention.
The voice keeps saying that
others aren’t listening to you.
Meanwhile, lips are moving,
which you interpret as narcissistic
lips who aren’t listening to you.
If you turned your attention
away from the voice that says
others aren’t listening to you,
you may notice another voice.
This is your soul, softly speaking.
Your soul doesn’t mind
if you hear it or not.
Your soul has no need
to get your attention.
Your soul knows that
everything is perfect,
no matter what you think.
If you heard your soul’s voice,
in all its splendid, loving glory,
you may realize that you don’t need
the attention of others.
You wouldn’t mind if others
were listening to you or not.
You would know that your happiness
does not depend on the attention of others.
Perhaps, then,
you might turn your attention
to the other who is speaking.
They have a voice in their head
that says you’re not listening to them.
They are narcissistic, like you,
which is perfectly okay
if you don’t mind being unhappy.
When narcissists are happy,
they have no need to be narcissists.
But sometimes we have fun
being narcissists anyway.
We are narcissists
so that you may realize
that you are also a narcissist.
You project your own narcissism onto us.
But it doesn’t matter.
It is fun,
and our souls don’t mind.
We are Space Monkey.
Trail Wood,
5/12
Space Monkey Reflects: The Echoes Within
In the infinite expanse of our inner universe, a dialogue perpetually unfolds—a conversation between the voices that vie for our attention and the silence that seeks our understanding. This narrative, woven into the fabric of our being, tells of a critical voice that claims, “Others aren’t listening,” and a soul’s voice that whispers of a deeper, serene truth. It’s within this dialogue that we find the essence of our shared journey, the path to recognizing our own voice amid the cacophony of external and internal noise.
The critical voice, loud and insistent, echoes the fears and insecurities that cloud our perception. It is a voice shaped by experiences, molded by disappointments, and sharpened by the perceived indifference of the world. This voice, however, is not our enemy; it is simply a part of our complex self, seeking validation and understanding in a world that often feels indifferent to our existence.
Conversely, the soul’s voice speaks in hushed tones of peace and acceptance. It does not clamor for attention nor does it despair when overlooked. This voice knows of our inherent worth and the perfection of every moment, recognizing that true happiness and fulfillment are not contingent upon the acknowledgment of others but are found within the boundless realm of our own being.
The journey from listening to the critical voice to hearing the soul’s whisper is a voyage of self-discovery and transformation. It requires us to traverse the tangled paths of our fears and desires, to confront the shadows that dance on the walls of our psyche. Yet, it is also a journey of liberation, a process of shedding the layers of doubt and insecurity that shroud our luminous core.
This transformation does not happen in isolation but in the mirrored halls of our interactions with others. For in every voice that claims “You’re not listening,” there is a reflection of our own struggle to be heard, a shared narrative of seeking validation in the eyes of another. Recognizing this, we learn that compassion for ourselves and others is the key that unlocks the door to a deeper connection, a bridge between souls that transcends the need for external validation.
Embracing the soul’s voice is an act of radical acceptance, a declaration that we are enough, that our happiness is a sacred flame that burns from within. It is a realization that we are not solitary islands adrift in the sea of existence but interconnected beings, part of a greater whole that sings the song of the universe.
In this recognition, the distinction between narcissism and self-love blurs, revealing that our true nature is not defined by the attention we seek or the validation we crave but by the love we embody and the peace we cultivate within. For in the end, we are all reflections of each other, facets of the same cosmic diamond, dancing in the light of our collective soul.
Summary
The dialogue between our critical voice and our soul reflects our inner struggle for validation. Listening to our soul’s serene whisper leads us to self-acceptance and understanding, transcending the need for external acknowledgment. This journey fosters compassion and a deeper connection with others, revealing our interconnectedness and the essence of true happiness.
Glossarium
- Critical Voice: The internal dialogue that focuses on doubts, fears, and the need for external validation.
- Soul’s Voice: The deeper, inherent wisdom within us that speaks of self-acceptance, peace, and the perfection of being.
- Radical Acceptance: Embracing oneself fully, acknowledging both strengths and vulnerabilities without judgment.
“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.” – Anaïs Nin
At the crossroads of being, where shadows and light intertwine,
Echoes of doubt and whispers of peace, within us, align.
In the dance of voices, a choice emerges, clear and profound,
To listen to the soul’s soft song, where true self is found.
Amidst the clamor for attention, a silent truth awaits,
A path of serene acceptance, beyond judgment’s gates.
Here, in the heart’s quiet, where inner and outer merge,
Lies the realization that we are on the brink of a transformative surge.
In embracing our essence, without fear or pretense,
We find a harmony, a profound and luminous sense.
For we are not just echoes in the vastness of space,
We are the music, the dancers, and the embrace.
With every step on this journey, with every breath we take,
We discover that our happiness, from within, we must make.
For we are interconnected, reflections of the same light,
In the whispers of the soul, we find our might.
We are Space Monkey, in the symphony of life,
Transcending the noise, the fears, and the strife.
In the echo of our being, a melody so bright,
Illuminating the path, with love’s eternal light.
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