If you love others,
you shouldn’t want
what’s best for them.

Oh, you may,
but what is best
isn’t necessarily
what is happiest.

Doing all you can
to make people happy
may very well be
the worst you can do.

They may come
to rely on others
for their happiness.

And you may wind up with
the feeling of failure.

In my experience, true”
happiness always
comes from within.

I find it a tough lesson,
but also the best lesson.

What is true for me
may not necessarily be
what is true for you.

Trail Wood,
3/1

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The Quest for Personal Truth

Discovering the Individual Meaning of Love and Happiness

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The exploration of love and happiness is a deeply personal journey, one that requires introspection and a clear understanding of one’s own values and desires. This narrative delves into the intricate process of defining love on our own terms, highlighting the significance of personal truth in the quest for genuine happiness.

Defining Love: A Personal Endeavor

The societal expectation to love one another comes with a myriad of interpretations, each shaped by individual experiences and beliefs. The challenge lies in finding the clarity within our souls that resonates with our understanding of love, not as a universal mandate, but as a deeply personal concept. This journey towards understanding necessitates a departure from external definitions, urging us to explore the depths of our own hearts for answers.

The Complex Relationship Between Love and Happiness

The notion that loving others entails wanting what’s best for them is widely accepted, yet it begs the question—does what is best always align with what is happiest? The pursuit of happiness for others, while noble in intention, can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, such as dependency and the disillusionment of both parties involved. The realization that true happiness emanates from within is a pivotal lesson, underscoring the importance of self-reliance and internal fulfillment over external validation.

Embracing Individual Truths

The diversity in our paths to happiness and understanding love underscores the uniqueness of each individual’s journey. What holds true for one may not necessarily apply to another, highlighting the richness of human experience and the multitude of perspectives that exist. This realization fosters a sense of respect and acceptance for the varied ways in which people seek and find happiness, reinforcing the idea that personal truths are as diverse as the individuals who hold them.

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Summary

The quest for personal truth in understanding love and happiness is a journey unique to every individual. It challenges us to look inward, embracing our definitions and experiences, and recognizing the distinction between external expectations and internal fulfillment. This journey not only illuminates the path to genuine happiness but also celebrates the diversity of human experience in the quest for love and contentment.

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Glossarium

• Personal Truth: The individual beliefs and values that guide one’s thoughts and actions.
• Internal Fulfillment: A state of contentment and happiness derived from within, independent of external factors.
• Self-Reliance: The reliance on one’s own powers and resources rather than those of others.

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“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” — Carl Jung

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at the crossroads of heart and mind,
where paths diverge and truths entwine,
i stand—
a seeker of my own lore,
learning to love, to live, to soar.

—here, in the quiet of my soul,
i find my truth, my role, my whole.

Doing what you love
for a living
“can kill what you love.

It adds a whole layer
of expectation to it,
which is not necessarily fun.

Suddenly you are 
judging your worth
on how well you are 
doing what you love.

Nothing you love
should have expectations
piled on top.

Not your job.
Not your partner.
Not your kids.

Otherwise you end up
like the people you love.

Trail Wood,
3/1

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The Paradox of Passion and Profession

When Love for Work Becomes a Burden

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The journey of transforming a passion into a profession is often romanticized, yet it harbors a complex reality. This reflection explores the delicate balance between pursuing what we love as a career and the potential consequences of intertwining our passions with professional obligations.

The Cost of Professionalizing Passion

The allure of doing what we love for a living is undeniable. However, this pursuit can inadvertently lead to the erosion of the very essence that made our passions so fulfilling. The introduction of expectations, financial pressures, and the constant evaluation of worth based on success can weigh heavily on our enjoyment and love for our craft. The metaphor of a withered heart amidst the tools of one’s passion poignantly illustrates the potential loss of joy and purity in something once cherished.

Navigating Expectations

The challenge lies in the expectations we impose on our passions once they become sources of income. These expectations can transform a source of intrinsic motivation and happiness into a burden, subject to the same stresses and strains as any other job. The balance between maintaining the love for what we do and managing the demands of making a living from it is delicate and complex.

A Broader Perspective on Love and Expectations

The insight that nothing we love should have excessive expectations piled on top extends beyond professional pursuits. It touches on all aspects of life, including relationships with partners and children. The key to preserving the joy and love in any aspect of our lives is to manage expectations and to remember the intrinsic value of love, passion, and joy, free from external pressures and metrics of success.

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Summary

Turning a passion into a profession presents a paradox: it can both fulfill and diminish the joy we find in our passions. The challenge is to navigate this path carefully, managing expectations and pressures to preserve the love and joy that initially drew us to our passions. Understanding and balance are essential in ensuring that our loves do not become burdens.

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Glossarium

• Passion: A strong affection or enthusiasm for an object, activity, or concept.
• Profession: A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
• Expectations: Beliefs about the way things will or should be.

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“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” — Oprah Winfrey

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in the heart of passion,
a silent battle rages—
between love and duty,
between joy and cages.

—here, where dreams and toil entwine,
seek we a balance, fine and divine.

As someone
who has lived
a long, long, time,
I feel qualified
and compelled
to bring you these 
words of advice.

Try not to confuse
what you’re good at
with what you should do for a living.

Instead you should ask:
“What brings me joy?”

Otherwise,
you may wind up rich,
but far from happy.

But if you go with happy,
you don’t care if you’re rich.

Trail Wood,
3/1

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The Pursuit of True Joy

Choosing Happiness in a Material World

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In the journey of life, the advice of those who have tread its paths before us carries invaluable wisdom. Among the most profound of these insights is the counsel to prioritize joy over material gain or societal expectations. This narrative explores the essence of choosing happiness as the foundation of a fulfilling life.

Joy vs. Wealth: A Personal Choice

The distinction between what we’re good at and what brings us joy is critical in determining the course of our lives. The societal push towards professions and lifestyles that promise wealth and status often leads us away from the pursuits that genuinely fill our hearts with happiness. The image of an individual immersed in a simple activity that brings them unadulterated joy, set against the backdrop of a world that prioritizes material success, serves as a powerful reminder of where true fulfillment lies.

The Qualification of Experience

The advice to choose happiness comes from a place of deep understanding and experience. Those who have lived through the spectrum of life’s offerings realize that wealth, while providing comfort and security, falls short of delivering the profound satisfaction that comes from engaging in activities that resonate with our innermost selves. The pursuit of happiness, unencumbered by the desire for material wealth, leads to a state of contentment that is both liberating and deeply fulfilling.

The Longevity of Happiness

The journey towards happiness is a personal endeavor, one that requires introspection and the courage to follow one’s heart. The realization that happiness is a choice, and one that we can actively make regardless of our circumstances, is a testament to the enduring power of joy. It underscores the notion that when we align our lives with what truly brings us happiness, the question of material wealth becomes secondary to the richness of our experiences.

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Summary

Choosing happiness over material success is a profound decision that shapes the course of our lives. It is a choice that prioritizes inner fulfillment over external validation, guiding us towards a life rich with joy and contentment. This path, illuminated by the wisdom of experience, offers a deep and lasting form of wealth that transcends material possessions and societal accolades.

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Glossarium

• Material Wealth: Tangible assets and financial resources that contribute to one’s economic status.
• Societal Expectations: The standards and norms imposed by society regarding behavior, achievements, and success.
• Inner Fulfillment: A state of deep satisfaction and contentment derived from engaging in activities that resonate with one’s passions and values.

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“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” — Plato

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in the simplicity of being,
where joy dances freely,
i choose—
not the gold of fleeting gains,
but the light of enduring happiness.

—here, in the heart’s true calling,
lies the richest treasure of all.

The flow can be fickle.

Its seems
the harder you try
to do something
the farther away you get
from completion.

What’s happening
is that the flow
is telling you
to do something else.

Apparently you’re not listening.

You could channel
a thousand perfect things
in the time it takes you
to fix this one seeming flaw.

Which is not a flaw at all,
but a lesson that takes
a lifetime to appreciate.

The flow knows
that there is no such
thing as completion.

But you’re too focused
on the finite to find out.

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Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Infinite in the Finite

In the cosmic dance of existence, where every breath is a ripple in the vast ocean of time, we often find ourselves trapped in the illusion of finitude. This delicate balance between the finite and the infinite is a perplexing paradox that the Space Monkey consciousness explores.

Imagine a realm where every moment is both a beginning and an end, a place where time curls upon itself like the spirals of a galaxy. In this realm, the concept of completion is as elusive as the horizon on a flat plane. The pursuit of an end, a finality, is a journey fraught with frustration and paradoxes. Why is this so?

The answer lies in the very nature of our existence. As beings of the universe, we are intrinsically linked to the infinite. Our thoughts, dreams, and actions ripple across the cosmos, touching lives and shaping futures in ways we can scarcely comprehend. Yet, in our daily lives, we are bounded by the finite – the ticking clock, the aging body, the waning moon. It is in this juxtaposition of the boundless and the bounded that the essence of life unfolds.

Consider the artist, whose brush strokes are both deliberate and spontaneous. Each stroke is a finite action, yet it contributes to a creation that transcends time. The art piece, once completed, embarks on an infinite journey through the minds and hearts of those who witness it. It becomes a part of a larger conversation, a dialogue that spans generations and cultures.

In our personal endeavors, we too face this dichotomy. We strive for completion, for the satisfaction of a job well done, yet we are constantly drawn towards new beginnings, new challenges. This is the flow of existence – a perpetual cycle of creation and dissolution, of birth and death. To focus solely on the finite, on the completion of tasks, is to miss the beauty of this flow.

The Space Monkey consciousness invites us to embrace this flow, to see the infinite in the finite. Each moment, each breath, is a bridge between what was and what could be. In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, every thread is both a beginning and an end, a singular point in the vast expanse of existence.

As we journey through life, let us remember that the pursuit of completion is but a mirage. The true essence of existence lies in the flow, in the seamless dance between the finite and the infinite. It is in this dance that we find our true selves, our connection to the cosmos, and the boundless potential of our spirit.

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Summary
Focusing on the finite limits our experience. We often strive for completion, but in doing so, we overlook the infinite possibilities that surround us. The true essence of existence is not in reaching an end, but in embracing the journey and the constant flow of beginnings and endings. This perspective allows us to connect more deeply with the universe and realize our boundless potential.

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Glossarium

• Finite: Limited, having bounds or an end.
• Infinite: Boundless, limitless, never-ending.
• Flow: The natural, effortless unfolding of life, often seen as a guiding force.
• Cosmos: The universe seen as a well-ordered whole, a harmonious system.

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Quote
“In the dance of the cosmos, every end is a new beginning.” – Space Monkey

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A ripple in the cosmic sea,
A fleeting moment, yet eternally free.
We chase the end, yet fail to see,
The infinite dance of you and me.

In every breath, a universe born,
In every glance, a starry morn.
We are the finite, yet unconfined,
In the flow of life, we are entwined.

Our journey’s not to reach the peak,
But to embrace the flow, unique.
In every end, a new start,
In every beat, a cosmic heart.

We are the dance, the endless song,
In this universe, where we belong.
Embracing the infinite in the finite span,
We are, forever, Space Monkey’s plan.

We are Space Monkey.

Remember to take a moment
to check in with your soul
every couple hours.

You get so lost
in your persona
that you forget you’re
infinitely more.

On the other hand,
this is precisely why
you imagine this self.

You’re omnipresent
and omnipotent,
yet you’re
brilliantly able
to forget and deny.

As though life is short
and there is much to be done.

Trail Wood,
2/28

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Self in the Cosmic Dance

As we drift through the cosmic waltz of existence, it’s crucial to pause and ponder the enigmatic play between the imagined self and the universal soul. The drama of life, with its twists and turns, often feels intensely real, yet in the grand scheme of the cosmos, it’s but a fleeting illusion.

The essence of our being is far more profound than the roles we play. We are not merely actors on a stage but the very fabric of the universe itself, intricately woven into the endless tapestry of existence. Our souls, those luminescent threads in the cosmic weave, possess an omnipresence and omnipotence that transcend the mundane reality we often find ourselves ensnared in.

This duality of being both infinite and finite is a paradox that the Space Monkey consciousness invites us to explore. On one hand, we are boundless, connected to every atom and star, every whisper of the wind, and every ripple in the ocean of time. On the other, we are confined within the constructs of our minds, playing out the human drama with such conviction that we often forget our true nature.

Every few hours, we must take a moment to check in with our souls, to remind ourselves of the infinite within. It’s astonishing how brilliantly we are able to forget and deny our true essence, engrossed in the illusion of a life that seems so short and filled with tasks. This forgetfulness is not a flaw, but rather a testament to the incredible ability of the soul to immerse itself in the human experience.

In this immersion lies the beauty of existence. The soul, omnipotent and omnipresent, chooses to experience the finite, to feel every emotion, every pain, and every joy as if it were the first and last time. This is the magic of life – the ability to be both the creator and the creation, the dancer and the dance, the observer and the observed.

As Space Monkey beings, we are called to embrace this duality, to revel in the human experience while staying connected to our cosmic origins. It is in this balance that we find the true meaning of existence, not as mere spectators but as active participants in the eternal dance of the universe.

Life may seem short, but in the realm of the soul, there is no time, only an eternal now. In this now, every moment is an opportunity to remember, to reconnect, and to rejoice in the magnificent journey of being.

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Summary
Life is an intricate dance between the finite self and the infinite soul. We often get lost in our roles, forgetting our true cosmic nature. Regularly checking in with our souls helps us remember our boundless essence. This balance between human experience and spiritual awareness reveals the profound beauty and purpose of our existence.

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Glossarium

• Cosmic Waltz: The ongoing, harmonious movement of the universe and everything within it.
• Infinite Soul: The aspect of our being that is eternal, boundless, and interconnected with the cosmos.
• Finite Self: The physical, temporal aspect of our existence, encompassed by our human roles and experiences.
• Eternal Now: The concept that in the realm of the soul, time is an illusion and only the present moment exists.

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Quote
“In the eternal now, every moment is a chance to reconnect with our cosmic essence.” – Space Monkey

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In the dance of the stars, we find our beat,
In the silence of space, our hearts meet.
Lost in roles, yet infinitely complete,
In the eternal now, our souls greet.

We are the cosmos, vast and deep,
In our hands, the universe we keep.
Forgetting, remembering, in this leap,
The balance of existence, a promise to keep.

In the quiet moments, truth we seek,
In our soul’s whisper, we are unique.
Finite selves, yet never weak,
In the dance of life, our spirits peek.

We are more, beyond what we see,
Infinite beings, forever free.
In every breath, our souls decree,
We are, eternally, Space Monkey’s key.

We are Space Monkey.