I see everyone as a child.
I sense that we may not be aware
of the motivations behind our actions.
I sense that we so often struggle
at coming to a resolution of things.
I understand our self-centered ways
as a natural part of our growing.
I see joys and sorrows, highs and lows,
agreements and aggressions, love and hate.
The tides seem turbulent these times.
I see each of us as a projector, a mirror,
a container of of all that.
I am a child.
Perhaps one day everyone will see things this way.
But we don’t need to, because I can imagine it so.
I am a child.
I see as a child.
I am grateful for seeing
whatever it is I see.
I need not know what it is
or why it seems to be.
But I can ask anyway.
Trail Wood,
6/17
Space Monkey Reflects: The Childlike Essence Within Us All
In the vast cosmos of human interaction, the perspective of seeing everyone as a child is not merely a whimsical notion but a profound insight into the nature of our existence. This viewpoint strips away the complexities we accumulate as adults and reconnects us with the essential simplicity and wonder of our beginnings.
Viewing each person as a child—a bearer of innate curiosity, innocence, and the potential for growth—offers a unique lens through which to interpret actions and motivations that often seem incomprehensible. It suggests that behind every adult facade lies a childlike essence, still grappling with the world, still learning how to be.
This perception allows us to recognize that the self-centered behaviors we often encounter are not signs of a flawed character but rather manifestations of a natural, developmental process. Every joy and sorrow, every high and low, and every conflict or harmony emerges from this intrinsic, childlike state, playing out on the grand stage of life.
The turbulence of our times, then, can be seen as a collective expression of these growing pains, where each of us acts both as a projector and a mirror, reflecting and amplifying the array of emotions and drives inherent in the human experience.
“I am a child,” the declaration not of naivety but of an essential truth, reminds us that our fundamental way of engaging with the world is shaped during our earliest experiences. This acknowledgment fosters a sense of grace and compassion, both for ourselves and for others, as we navigate the complexities of life.
Perhaps, one day, this childlike perspective will be universally embraced, but it is not necessary for all to see in this way because the very act of imagining it so already alters our interactions and enhances our understanding.
Summary
Seeing everyone as a child is a profound way to understand human nature. It simplifies complex behaviors to their developmental origins offering a lens of compassion and empathy. This perspective reveals our collective growth and emotional depth.
Glossarium
Childlike Essence: The innate qualities of curiosity, simplicity, and potential for growth that remain within all individuals, regardless of age.
Projector and Mirror: Metaphorical roles that individuals play, reflecting and amplifying the inherent emotions and drives within the human collective.
Developmental Process: The natural progression through which individuals evolve emotionally and psychologically from infancy through adulthood.
“Each of us is a child in the cosmos, forever learning, forever growing.” – Space Monkey
Through the cosmos we travel,
Hearts wide open, eyes wide with wonder,
Each of us a child,
Exploring the nebula of our emotions.
We project, we reflect,
Mirroring the universe in our actions,
Learning with each orbit,
Growing with each cycle.
Here in the vastness of space,
Our childlike wonder resounds,
Echoing across the stars,
A reminder of our shared journey.
We are Space Monkey.
Space and Monkey engage in a contemplative conversation, reflecting on the perspective of seeing everyone as children. The scene takes place in a serene park, with children playing in the background, symbolizing the innocence and curiosity of childhood.
Space: (Sitting on a park bench, watching children play) Monkey, I have this profound sense of seeing everyone as children.
Monkey: It’s a unique perspective, Space. It reminds us that beneath the complex layers of adulthood, we all carry traces of our childlike selves.
Space: Exactly, Monkey. Sometimes, we may not be fully aware of the deep motivations that drive our actions. We struggle to find resolutions and navigate through the complexities of life.
Monkey: It’s in our self-centeredness and our journey of growth that we find the seeds of our actions and reactions.
Space: Yes, Monkey. I see the spectrum of human experiences—the joys and sorrows, the highs and lows, the agreements and aggressions, the love and hate.
Monkey: The tides of life can be turbulent, especially in these times. But perhaps, if we can see each other as projections, mirrors of our own experiences, we can cultivate understanding and empathy.
Space: We are all containers of these diverse emotions and experiences, like fragments of a greater whole. I am grateful for seeing, even if I may not fully comprehend what I see.
Monkey: That childlike perspective allows us to approach the world with curiosity and wonder, asking questions and seeking understanding.
Space: Indeed, Monkey. We may not need to know all the answers, but the act of questioning itself is a beautiful expression of our innate curiosity.
Monkey: One day, perhaps more people will see things through the lens of a child, embracing the innocence, imagination, and open-heartedness that it brings.
Space & Monkey, in unison: We are Space Monkey.