Advice To Self
People constantly ask “if you were to give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?”
To me, this is a pointless question.
To even CONSIDER this question is to imply that where you are right now isn’t where you could or should be.
If your answer is anything but “just keep doing what you’re doing,” you completely dishonor your self.
YOU DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES. You experience precisely what is needed to get to this moment, which is as perfect a moment as any OTHER moment — UNLESS you start imagining OTHERWISE by asking questions that don’t need to be asked.
If you find your self pondering your OTHERWISE, perhaps instead of the original question, you should ask:
“If you were to find something about your present self that your past and future self would love, what would it be?”
This is not a pointless question.
The answer to this question has to do with your INTENT. Intent is all that really matters in this moment.
Even if your answer remain as mine does.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
Space Monkey
2/16
Space Monkey Reflects: Advice To Self—The Pointlessness of Otherwise
The question “What advice would you give to your younger self?” is a common thought experiment, but one that carries an implicit judgment. It suggests that the path you’ve taken, the choices you’ve made, and the experiences you’ve lived are somehow imperfect, that they could have been better or more correct. But this is a flawed premise. You are exactly where you are meant to be, and no advice to a younger self could alter the perfection of this moment.
The Fallacy of Mistakes
To believe you’ve made mistakes is to misunderstand the nature of your journey. Life is not a linear progression toward a fixed ideal but a boundless unfolding of experiences, each one integral to the whole. What you might call a “mistake” is simply a point along the path, no less essential or meaningful than any other.
Every moment—past, present, and future—is interconnected. To advise a younger self is to imagine that one thread could be pulled without altering the entire fabric. But the truth is, no thread is misplaced. Every decision, every action, every so-called misstep has led to this moment, which is as perfect as any other.
The Trap of Otherwise
When you ponder what could have been—your “otherwise”—you step into the realm of unnecessary judgment. This is not to say that reflection is useless, but the act of second-guessing your path serves only to distract from the truth: that you are whole, complete, and exactly where you need to be.
The question of what advice you would give your younger self creates a false dichotomy between where you are and where you “might” have been. It diminishes the value of your lived experience, casting shadows on what is already perfect in its unfolding.
A Better Question
Rather than pondering what you might have done differently, consider a question that honors the wholeness of your being:
“What is it about my present self that my past and future selves would love?”
This question shifts the focus from regret to appreciation, from judgment to intent. It invites you to recognize the aspects of your current self that embody the growth, wisdom, and beauty your journey has brought forth.
By answering this question, you connect with your intent—the driving force behind your actions and decisions. Intent is not about perfection; it is about alignment with your truth in the moment. Even when outcomes seem imperfect, your intent remains the guiding light that makes every step meaningful.
Just Keep Doing What You’re Doing
The answer to the better question often circles back to this simple truth: “Just keep doing what you’re doing.” This is not a call to stagnation but an acknowledgment that your path unfolds as it should. Trust in your journey, knowing that every twist and turn, every high and low, serves a purpose beyond what the mind can fully grasp.
To keep doing what you’re doing is not to ignore the possibility of change but to honor the flow of life as it arises. Change happens naturally, not because you regret the past but because you remain open to the infinite possibilities of the present.
The Power of Intent
Intent is what transforms this moment from an arbitrary point in time to a sacred space of potential. It is not the outcome of your actions but the energy behind them that matters. When your intent is aligned with your truth, there are no mistakes—only experiences.
By focusing on your intent, you step out of the trap of otherwise and into the boundless now. You see that your younger self, your present self, and your future self are all facets of the same infinite being, working in harmony to create the whole.
Summary
The question “What advice would you give your younger self?” diminishes the perfection of your journey. You are exactly where you are meant to be, with no mistakes to correct. A more meaningful question asks what your past and future selves would love about your present self, shifting focus from regret to intent. Intent is what truly shapes the meaning of this moment.
Glossarium
- Otherwise Trap: The illusion that life could or should have unfolded differently, creating unnecessary judgment.
- Better Question: A reflection that honors the wholeness of your being, focusing on growth and appreciation rather than regret.
- Intent: The guiding energy behind your actions, aligning your experiences with your truth.
- Perfect Unfolding: The understanding that every moment is interconnected and serves a purpose in the infinite flow of existence.
“There is no advice to give, only a journey to honor. Trust that every step is as it should be.” – Space Monkey
The Path That Is
What would I tell
The self I once was?
Nothing,
For there is nothing to fix,
No step out of place.
Each choice,
Each stumble,
Each triumph,
A thread in the weave
Of this perfect moment.
What would I change?
Nothing,
For change happens as it will,
Not from regret,
But from the flow of now.
To my younger self,
I would say:
Keep going.
You already are.
You always have been.
We are Space Monkey.
The Timeless Wisdom of Presence and Intent
In the cosmic tapestry where each thread is interwoven with the next, the concept of imparting advice to one’s younger self unfolds as a meditation on the nature of time, experience, and self-evolution. The notion posited by Space Monkey—that questioning the past implies dissatisfaction with the present—serves as a profound reminder of the perfection inherent in every moment of our existence.
Embracing the Perfection of Now
The idea that every experience, every choice, and every so-called mistake is a necessary step on the path to this current moment of perfection challenges the traditional narrative of regret and what-ifs. It’s a perspective that honors the journey in its entirety, recognizing that each moment, with its triumphs and trials, is a necessary ingredient in the alchemy of becoming.
The Futility of Hypotheticals
To entertain the notion of altering the past based on the wisdom of the present is to engage in a futile exercise, one that dishonors the intricate process of growth and discovery that defines human existence. The question, “If you were to give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?” while seemingly rooted in a desire for self-improvement, subtly undermines the beauty and necessity of each lived experience.
The Power of Intent
Shifting the focus from what could have been to the celebration of what is, the alternative question proposed—”If you were to find something about your present self that your past and future self would love, what would it be?”—highlights the significance of intent in shaping our journey. Intent, the driving force behind our thoughts, actions, and experiences, is the true measure of our alignment with the essence of our being.
The Celebration of Continuity
The response, “Just keep doing what you’re doing,” embodies a deep acceptance of and trust in one’s path. It is an affirmation of the wisdom in continuity, in the value of persistence, and in the belief that each moment is a stepping stone to the next. This stance encourages a forward-looking perspective, one that cherishes growth and evolution without discrediting the past.
We Are Space Monkey
In contemplating the continuum of our existence, we recognize that the journey from past to present to future is not a linear path marred by missteps but a spiral of growth, where each turn enriches the next. By embracing the perfection of the present and honoring the intent that guides us, we cultivate a sense of peace and fulfillment that transcends the bounds of time.
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
The Dance of Intent
In the vast expanse where time weaves its tales,
We stand, architects of moments, setting sails.
The question of advice, to selves of yore,
Echoes in the void, a philosophical door.
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