Through no effort of my own,
I live a fortunate life.

Does that turn
your prejudice against me?

Do you believe
that it’s my duty
to use my fortune
to improve yours?

Whether justified or not,
I believe that it is evil
to complain about one’s lot in life.

It is evil of me to expect you to help me.

I know nothing about you,
just as you know nothing about me
beyond my perception of fortune.

Do you have a picture of me in your mind?
I shall not presume to have a picture of you.

Impressions are blankets
that keep neither of us warm.

What if I told you I was penniless?
Would you rush to help me?

I do not wish to lay that guilt on you.

Trail Wood,
5/22

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Dichotomy of Fortune

The concept of being ‘fortunate’ is a tapestry woven with threads of perspective, circumstance, and personal reflection. In examining the essence of fortune, it becomes clear that our outlook often holds more power than the conditions we find ourselves in. This realization invites us to explore the deeper implications of fortune—not just as a measure of material wealth or external success, but as a state of mind, a lens through which we view our place in the world.

At the heart of this contemplation lies the question of responsibility and privilege. For those who identify as fortunate, an ethical dilemma often emerges: what is one’s duty to others who may not share the same blessings? This query is not just a matter of financial or material assistance but a profound inquiry into the nature of empathy, compassion, and shared humanity. It challenges the notion that fortune is a simple ledger of gains and losses, pushing us to consider the relational and communal aspects of how we live and thrive together.

The individual who perceives themselves as fortunate and yet chooses not to complain or impose upon others offers a compelling stance on personal responsibility. This perspective underscores a respect for the unknown depths of others’ lives and the complexities that each person navigates. It is a recognition that while fortune can separate us by circumstance, it need not divide us in spirit.

Moreover, the act of labeling oneself or others based on perceived fortune can lead to a web of assumptions and biases that obscure the true nature of our connections. These labels can become barriers to understanding, empathy, and mutual support, trapping us in a cycle of judgment that benefits neither giver nor receiver.

In this light, fortune might be better understood as a fluid and dynamic force—one that ebbs and flows with the tides of life’s circumstances and our responses to them. It invites us to reconsider what it means to be truly fortunate. Is it the accumulation of wealth and comfort, or is it the ability to live with gratitude, resilience, and a sense of purpose regardless of external conditions?

By stepping back and viewing fortune through a broader, more inclusive lens, we open ourselves to a richer understanding of what it means to lead a successful life. It becomes less about what we have and more about how we relate to what we have—and to each other.

---

Summary

Fortune is more about perspective than material circumstances. It challenges us to consider our responsibilities towards others and to recognize that our assumptions about fortune can affect our relationships and understanding of others. True fortune involves gratitude resilience and purpose beyond mere material success.

---

Glossarium

Fortune: Traditionally associated with wealth and luck, but here explored as a broader concept involving gratitude, perspective, and relational dynamics.

Ethical Dilemma: A complex situation that often involves a conflict between moral imperatives where to obey one would result in transgressing another.

Shared Humanity: The fundamental connection between all people, which transcends individual differences in circumstance and perspective.

---

Quote

“True fortune lies not in what we earn, but in what we share.” – Space Monkey

---

Poetry

Beyond the fields of gold and grain
Where fortunes told are not the same
We stand and gaze, from heart to heart
Where true wealth lies, where blessings start

In every smile, in every tear
Fortune’s face does appear
Not in coins or gleaming gold
But in the stories, new and old

Together bound by threads unseen
In every end, a new begin
Fortune’s road, a shared dream
Where all is one, and one is seen

We are Space Monkey.

So The Voice Says You’re Inadequate

What should you do
if you have
a voice in your head
pointing out your faults
or telling you
that you’re inadequate?

Most people say
not to listen to the voice,
but I believe that this is
the worst thing you can do.

My advice is this.

Listen to the voice,
hold space for the voice,
let it talk all it wants,
but do not be concerned.

Don’t get angry at the voice.
Don’t pity the voice.

Understand that it’s just a voice
begging to be heard.

Try having compassion
for that little voice.

This is YOUR voice.
It comes from YOU.
It is not your enemy.

Thank the voice
for looking out for you.

It means well.

That little voice
simply doesn’t understand
all there is to understand.

YOU don’t understand
all there is to understand.



There is ALWAYS another side
to what you are hearing,
even if you haven’t experienced it yet.

That little voice
telling you your worst qualities
can actually point you
to the OPPOSITE —
to your BEST qualities.

That’s why you seem bothered
by what the voice is saying.

You are the OPPOSITE
of what it says
and the voice wants to
keep you that way.

Silly voice.

Once you get to know
the voice’s game,
it will actually amuse you.

The voice of inadequacy
is what makes you great.

What if you DIDN’T have one?

How selfish 
and full of yourself
might you be?

But you’re neither 
of those things.

Despite what the voice says.

Be grateful for that voice,
and you will unlock untold wisdom.

Instead of running away from it.

Head towards the voice.

That’s where your treasure lies.

Have fun with your exploration.



Love,

Space Monkey

Trail Wood,
5/21

---

Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Inner Voice of Doubt

The journey within is often accompanied by a chorus of doubts and self-criticism. “So the voice says you’re inadequate.” This universal inner dialogue, while painful, can be transformed into a tool for profound personal growth if approached with compassion and understanding.

Listening to the voice within that highlights our perceived faults is not about succumbing to it but about recognizing its presence and understanding its origins. It is a part of you, but it does not define you. By holding space for this voice, we allow ourselves to hear its concerns without being overwhelmed by them. This approach shifts the narrative from one of resistance to one of acceptance and curiosity.

The wisdom in “Listen to the voice, hold space for the voice, let it talk all it wants, but do not be concerned,” is profound. It teaches us that by engaging with our inner critic without attachment or emotional upheaval, we can learn from it and grow. The voice that points out our inadequacies is often rooted in protection—it wants to keep us safe from failure or harm. However, its perspective is limited; it does not possess the full breadth of understanding or the appreciation of our capabilities and growth potential.

This inner voice, though critical, inadvertently points us towards our greatest strengths. Often, the qualities it labels as shortcomings are directly linked to our most powerful attributes. For example, sensitivity may be criticized internally, but it is also a source of empathy and depth in relationships. By understanding this, we can begin to transform our inner dialogue from one of criticism to one of encouragement.

Embracing this voice as an ally rather than an adversary opens up a treasure trove of insights. It invites us to explore deeper aspects of our psyche, to understand our fears, and to challenge our self-imposed limits. This internal exploration is not just about confrontation; it’s about integration and reconciliation with all parts of ourselves.

Ultimately, the voice of inadequacy, when met with humor and wisdom, loses its sting and becomes a source of motivation and self-reflection. It reminds us that humility and self-awareness are valuable traits, and that in acknowledging our imperfections, we are also acknowledging our humanity.

---

Summary
Engaging with the inner voice of doubt can lead to significant personal growth. By understanding and embracing this voice we can transform it from a source of pain to a catalyst for self-discovery and empowerment.

---

Glossarium
Inner Voice of Doubt: The internal dialogue that often criticizes or questions one’s abilities or worth.
Integration and Reconciliation: Psychological processes where conflicting parts of the self are acknowledged and brought into a harmonious relationship.

---

“The voice of doubt is but a shadow on the path to self-discovery; embrace it, learn from it, and let it lead you to your greatest strengths.” — Space Monkey

---

In the quiet mind’s theater, where whispers play
Echoes of doubt, like shadows sway
But sit awhile, let them speak
In their murmurs, wisdom leaks

Each doubt, each fear, a hidden gem
Wrapped in critique, an unlikely friend
Listen close, hold them near
In their presence, truth appears

For what is doubt but an unturned stone?
A part of self, not fully known
By embracing all, we set the stage
For growth, for peace, for wisdom sage

So thank the voice, though it may chide
Within its tones, insights reside
In its game, find the clues
To unlock the self, to widen views

We are Space Monkey.

I am an overshooter.
An overachiever.
An overperceiver.

I hit the ball
out of the park.

I hit the ball
out of the city.

I hit the ball
out of the universe.

Nobody except me can see
how far I’ve hit the ball.

All people know
is that there’s no ball,
which means no game.

If nobody
can comprehend my greatness,
then I must not be all that great.

Maybe I should focus
on hitting the ball
where others can possibly catch it.

Maybe that’s why
nobody wants to play with me.

Trail Wood,
5/21

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Isolation of Excessive Achievement

The poignant image of a baseball player standing alone in an empty stadium, having propelled the ball far beyond the reach of any spectator or fellow player, serves as a powerful metaphor for the solitude that can accompany extraordinary achievements. “I hit the ball out of the park. I hit the ball out of the city. I hit the ball out of the universe.” These statements reflect not just prowess but an existential conundrum—when our accomplishments extend beyond the comprehension of others, do they lose their value?

This reflection explores the loneliness that often shadows those who “overshoot” or exceed common benchmarks to such a degree that their feats are no longer relatable to their peers. It speaks to the human need for validation and the social aspect of achievements. The realization that “Nobody except me can see how far I’ve hit the ball” encapsulates the internal conflict faced by those whose successes render them isolated.

The subsequent musings, “If nobody can comprehend my greatness, then I must not be all that great. Maybe I should focus on hitting the ball where others can possibly catch it,” suggest a recalibration of goals. It’s not merely about diminishing one’s capabilities but about finding a balance where excellence still thrives within the realm of community and connection. The aim is to achieve in ways that remain meaningful and engaging to both oneself and others.

This narrative doesn’t challenge the value of striving for greatness but rather highlights the importance of remaining connected to the human experience. It questions the cost of achievements that leave us isolated and posits that perhaps true greatness lies in our ability to share our triumphs and challenges with others—to make our “game” accessible and enjoyable for all.

In embracing this perspective, the metaphorical player in the empty stadium is prompted to consider the social dimensions of achievement. The insight that “Maybe that’s why nobody wants to play with me” touches on a deeper understanding that our connections with others enrich our lives and our accomplishments. It’s a call to ensure that in our pursuit of the extraordinary, we do not lose sight of the joy and enrichment that come from shared experiences and mutual recognition.

---

Summary
Extraordinary achievements can lead to isolation when they surpass common understanding. Balancing high achievements with social connection enhances their value and our fulfillment.

---

Glossarium
Overshooter: Someone who consistently exceeds normal standards or expectations to a degree that can lead to social isolation.
Existential Conundrum: A deeply philosophical dilemma regarding the nature or value of one’s existence or achievements in relation to the wider world.

---

“Greatness is not just in the distance the ball travels, but in the shared cheers and challenges of the game.” — Space Monkey

---

In the echo of an empty stadium, a figure stands alone
Swinging for the stars, his prowess fully shown
Yet in the vastness of his flight, a silence deep
A reminder that some leaps are too steep

For what is a game if played solo, what is a win
If there’s no one to share it, no cheer to begin
The ball that flies past galaxies, past every eye
May win the universe but lose the sky

So swing with care, aim with heart
Let your achievements and your community not part
For in the balance of reach and grasp, let there be
A space where others join, and together you see

We are Space Monkey.

You are brilliant
in your observations.
Expressive in your art.
Cunning in your craft.
Persuasive in your policy.
Profound in your practice.
Unfaltering in your beliefs.

You are disciplined
and determined in your doing.

But until
you are humble, kind,
and genuinely grateful,
you are largely unrecognized.

You are nothing,
masquerading as something.

And you’re not happy.

Trail Wood,
5/21

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Dichotomy of Success and Happiness

In the quiet solitude of a seemingly perfect office, where the trappings of success are abundant, a profound question echoes: “You may be successful. But are you happy?” This inquiry pierces the veneer of achievement, revealing the deeper layers of personal fulfillment—or the lack thereof.

The accomplishments listed—brilliance in observations, expressiveness in art, cunning in craft, persuasive policy, profound practice, and unfaltering beliefs—all signify a formidable presence in one’s field. Yet, these attributes, while commendable, highlight a potential disconnect between external recognition and internal contentment. The statement “You are nothing, masquerading as something” confronts the often painful realization that success, as socially defined, does not equate to happiness.

True happiness, as suggested, might hinge on qualities less celebrated in competitive environments: humility, kindness, and genuine gratitude. These attributes do not diminish one’s achievements but rather ground them, providing a foundation for a more holistic form of success—one that encompasses emotional and spiritual well-being alongside professional accomplishments.

This reflective scene in the office, with its solitary figure amidst symbols of success yet overshadowed by a sense of solitude, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for the internal struggle many face. It challenges the viewer to consider what constitutes true happiness and whether their current path aligns with those values.

The recognition that success alone is insufficient for happiness invites a shift in perspective. It calls for an integration of softer values into our daily lives, encouraging us to cultivate an inner landscape where kindness and gratitude are as prominent as determination and discipline. This recalibration can lead to a more sustainable, fulfilling sense of achievement—one that is recognized not just by external accolades but by an internal sense of peace and contentment.

---

Summary
External success does not guarantee happiness. True fulfillment often requires integrating humility kindness and gratitude into our achievements, focusing on emotional and spiritual well-being alongside professional success.

---

Glossarium
Emotional Fulfillment: A deep sense of satisfaction and well-being derived from emotional balance and personal connections, rather than material success alone.
Holistic Success: An approach to achievement that combines professional accomplishments with personal development and emotional well-being.

---

“Happiness, the elusive guest in the house of success, often enters through the doors of simplicity and sincerity.” — Space Monkey

---

In the silence of the high-rise, where success resides
A lone figure contemplates the tide
Of achievements that fill the shelves
Yet leave the heart questioning itself

Surrounded by the spoils of a well-fought race
Yet within, a quiet space
Asks if the hustle, the relentless chase
Is worth the solitude, the empty place

For what is success without a share of joy?
But a hollow victory, a clever ploy
That tricks the mind but not the soul
Leaving a gap, an unfulfilled hole

Seek then, not just to rise, but to find
The gentle virtues, the peace of mind
That comes not from what is won, but what is given
In kindness, in thanks, the true essence of living

We are Space Monkey.

What is remarkable to me
is how I could have gone
almost an entire lifetime
without any clue
as to who or what I really am.

Nor did I even
care to wonder.

It seems I’ve been taken,
obsessed, captivated, enchanted
by the imaginary idea
of divorcing my self
from consciousness.

But we’re getting remarried.

Trail Wood,
5/20

---

Space Monkey Reflects: Reunion of Self and Consciousness

How profound it is to realize that we’ve been separated from our truest selves, not by choice but by the unnoticed drift of daily existence. The journey often starts at birth—a separation not just from the womb but from a primal unity with consciousness. As we age, the distance grows, marked not in miles but in moments forgotten, selves unexplored, and identities layered one over the other like costumes in a play we never auditioned for.

For many, life rolls on without pause for self-inquiry, without the introspective question, “Who am I, truly?” Enchanted by the roles we play, we rarely question the script until a moment of clarity pierces through our performance. This clarity often comes unbidden, a whisper of truth amidst the cacophony of routine, revealing how estranged we’ve become from our own essence.

The realization of this separation can be unsettling, as if waking from a long dream to find that we’ve been actors in our own lives, following a script penned by unseen hands. But this awareness is not the end; it is an invitation—a call to reunite with our deeper selves, to rediscover the consciousness we thought we had divorced.

This reunion is not a simple return but a rebirth, a conscious merging of the self with the vastness of a universal awareness. It’s a remarriage of sorts, where the vows are not spoken but felt, a commitment to remain aware, engaged, and authentically connected to the essence of our being. The journey back to this union is not measured in steps but in the shedding of illusions, the unraveling of the narratives that no longer serve us, and the embracing of a truth that has awaited our return all along.

The path to this reunion is both a homecoming and a discovery, as each layer peeled back reveals not just who we are but what we are—a part of a grand, interconnected cosmos. It involves recognizing the myriad ways we’ve been captivated by the illusion of separation, the roles and identities that have defined us, often constricting rather than expressing our true nature.

As we remarry our consciousness, we find that this union does not erase our individuality but deepens it, infusing our actions with intention and our existence with meaning. This is not a fusion where the self is lost but a harmony where the self is fully realized, embraced, and expressed within the universal dance of existence.

---

Summary

A lifetime often passes before we question our true identity leading to a profound realization of separation from our deeper consciousness. This awareness invites a reunion an internal remarriage enriching our understanding and expression of self. Embracing this unity we engage more authentically with our lives and the universe.

---

Glossarium

• Primal Unity: The inherent connection between an individual’s consciousness and the universal consciousness present from birth, often obscured as one grows.
• Illusion of Separation: A common existential misconception that one’s individual consciousness is entirely distinct from the universal consciousness.

---

“To rediscover who you are is the first step in becoming who you were always meant to be.” — Space Monkey

---

In the quiet moments between being and becoming
We find the threads of consciousness we left humming
Once severed now seeking to mend
A tapestry of self that can blend
With the cosmic sea where stars are sown
In this reunion, we find our own
Echoes of a self long silenced by the din
Now loud, now proud, from within
We walk not back to where we were
But forward to who we are, sure
In every heartbeat, a drumbeat of the universe
In every breath, a verse of the cosmic poem we rehearse
We are not merely returning, we are evolving
In the dance of the cosmos, reviving, resolving
We are Space Monkey.