The day comes when you’re not
in control of your own life.

Decisions are taken out of your hands.

You can oppose or accept.

Opposition leads
to a life of militant opposition.

Acceptance leads
to a life of peaceful acceptance.

You accept.

This is the day you are born.

You learn things.

You learn that slowly you die.

Maybe you get an extra day or two,
but you’re never truly in control.

You never chose to be here.
And you WILL die.

Why would you ever oppose this?

Because you’re delusional.
You actually believe in a thing called control.

Trail Wood,
1/20

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Control

Control—the great delusion of human existence. It’s the comforting lie we tell ourselves, a story we cling to as we navigate an unpredictable universe. Yet the truth is simple and unrelenting: control is fleeting, if it exists at all. Life begins in acceptance and inevitably ends in surrender, rendering our notions of control little more than theatrical illusions.

The Temporary Nature of Control

Control feels tangible in the moment. We make choices, set goals, and steer our lives, believing our hands are on the wheel. But life’s unpredictable currents—circumstance, biology, chance—inevitably wrest the illusion away. The reality is that decisions are often shaped by forces beyond our comprehension. This isn’t failure; it’s simply the nature of existence.

Opposition: The Fight Against Reality

To resist this truth is to live in perpetual struggle. Opposition to life’s inevitable ebb and flow can manifest as militant defiance—a refusal to accept what is. This mindset breeds stress, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to battle against the uncontrollable. While this opposition might provide a fleeting sense of agency, it ultimately consumes the opposer, leaving exhaustion in its wake.

Acceptance: The Path to Peace

By contrast, acceptance is not passivity but a radical act of alignment with reality. Acceptance recognizes that while control may be an illusion, agency remains in how we respond. To accept is to stop wrestling with inevitability and instead flow with it, finding peace in the recognition that we are part of something much larger, much more profound, than ourselves.

The Paradox of Birth and Death

Birth and death bookend the human experience, framing life in stark inevitability. We are born without consent, and we will die without negotiation. This is not a tragedy but a profound truth. When we embrace the inevitability of these poles, life’s transient moments gain greater clarity and depth. We see that within the absence of control lies freedom—a chance to live fully in the present.

The Delusion of Control

Control seduces us because it promises certainty in an uncertain world. It allows us to believe we are masters of our fate, arbiters of our destiny. But this belief, as comforting as it may be, is delusional. True wisdom lies in letting go of the need to control, embracing the transient, and trusting the flow of existence.

---

Summary

Control is a temporary illusion. Opposition to life’s uncontrollable nature leads to struggle, while acceptance fosters peace. True freedom lies in surrendering the illusion of control and embracing life’s flow.

---

Glossarium

• Illusion of Control: The belief that one can fully direct the course of life, despite its inherent unpredictability.
• Militant Opposition: A relentless struggle against the uncontrollable forces of existence.
• Radical Acceptance: The act of embracing reality as it is, without resistance or denial.

---

Quote

“Freedom begins where the illusion of control ends.” — Space Monkey

---

Flowing Without a Rudder

Born into a river we didn’t choose,
Swept by currents we cannot refuse.
The fight to steer, the grasping hands,
Oppose the tide, defy the sands.

Yet what is control but a fleeting dream,
A fragile raft on life’s rushing stream?
The river flows, the banks erode,
In letting go, the heart’s bestowed.

Peace lies not in steering the wave,
But in the rhythm the water gave.
Born to the river, we learn, we die,
Flowing unbound beneath the sky.

We are Space Monkey.

---

We delve into the existential realization of the limited control we have over our own lives, exploring the nature of existence, the inevitability of death, and the illusion of control. This contemplation leads us to consider the choices of opposition versus acceptance in the face of life’s uncontrollable aspects.

The Illusion of Control

Central to this reflection is the notion that the belief in control is an illusion. From birth to death, our lives are governed by forces and circumstances often beyond our control. This realization challenges the common human belief in autonomy and self-determination.

Birth as the Beginning of Inevitability

The moment of birth is highlighted as the first instance of life’s uncontrollability. We enter a world not of our choosing, embarking on a journey that is largely shaped by external factors. This beginning sets the tone for the rest of our existence, where decisions and paths are often influenced or dictated by forces outside ourselves.

The Inevitability of Death

Death is presented as the ultimate inevitability, a destination we all share regardless of the paths we take. This shared fate serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the limits of our control over our ultimate destiny.

The Choice Between Opposition and Acceptance

Faced with the reality of limited control, we are presented with two paths: opposition or acceptance. Opposition leads to a life of constant struggle against the inevitable, while acceptance offers a path of peace and surrender to life’s inherent uncertainties.

Acceptance and Peaceful Existence

Embracing acceptance is seen as a path to inner peace. It involves acknowledging the limitations of our control and finding serenity in the flow of life as it unfolds. This acceptance is not about defeatism, but about embracing the reality of our existence with open arms and a peaceful heart.

We are Space Monkey.

---

“Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.” – Allen Saunders

---

A Poem of Acceptance

In the cradle of time, we are gently laid,
In a world of chance, where paths are made,
Not by will alone, but by fate’s grand design,
In this cosmic dance, we learn to align.

From the first breath to the last,
We travel a road, vast and vast,
Control, a mirage in the desert of life,
A dream in the midst of strife.

Yet in acceptance, we find a key,
To unlock the chains, to set us free,
In the flow of life, we gently sail,
Embracing the wind, the storm, the gale.

For in the tapestry (whimsiword) of existence wide,
We are but leaves in the tide,
Floating, drifting, in the stream of time,
In the song of the universe, the sublime.

---

Feel free to share your thoughts on the illusion of control, the inevitability of life’s journey, or how acceptance has played a role in your own life.

If you have
to convince people
to have faith in you,
then they’ll never
have faith in you.

I may not know you personally,
but I have faith in you.

Of course, my faith
has nothing to do with you.

In my mind,
faith need not be proven
but merely allowed.

I have faith
that whatever you do
with this information
is what you are meant to do
with this information.

You may use this information
to ridicule me or take advantage of me.

I have faith that, if that’s the case,
then that is what is meant to happen.

There need be no second guessing faith.

Trust is a different story.

Trail Wood,
1/20

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Boundless Nature of Faith

Faith, in its purest form, is a surrender—a trust in the unknown, unanchored by proof or expectation. Your words reflect a profound understanding: faith is not contingent upon outcomes, nor is it a currency exchanged for loyalty or validation. It exists unconditionally, independent of external actions or assurances.

Faith Without Convincing

The moment you must convince someone to have faith, it ceases to be faith. Convincing demands evidence, logic, and persuasion, while faith thrives in their absence. True faith transcends the transactional. It is an unshakable knowing that does not require reciprocation or acknowledgment. To embody this faith is to embrace the infinite, trusting without condition or proof.

Faith Is Personal, Not Transactional

You declare faith in others not because of who they are or what they have done but because faith resides within you. This kind of faith reflects an internal state of openness and surrender, rather than a judgment of external worthiness. By detaching faith from its perceived object, you make it unconditional—a reflection of your own alignment with the flow of life.

The Role of Trust

Faith and trust, while often conflated, are distinct. Trust is relational and conditional. It requires time, consistency, and mutual agreement. Trust can be broken; faith cannot. Where faith embraces the unknown, trust seeks patterns and reliability. Faith exists without guarantees, while trust operates within the frameworks of human relationships.

No Second-Guessing Faith

Faith, by its nature, eliminates the need for doubt. If you have faith that whatever happens is meant to happen, there is no space for regret or second-guessing. This doesn’t imply passivity or naivety—it signifies a profound surrender to the flow of existence. Faith does not prevent action but liberates it from the chains of fear and hesitation.

Faith in the Face of Ridicule

Your openness to ridicule or exploitation speaks to the radical strength of your faith. By accepting all possibilities—including those that seem harmful—you transcend the need for control. This is not an invitation for harm but an acknowledgment of life’s unpredictability and your trust in its unfolding.

Faith as a State of Being

Faith, then, is less about its object and more about the person holding it. It reflects an internal harmony with uncertainty and an abiding trust in the interconnectedness of all things. To have faith is to affirm that, no matter the circumstances, you are aligned with the larger currents of existence.

---

Summary

Faith is unconditional, existing independently of proof or reciprocity. Unlike trust, faith is not transactional; it is a surrender to the unknown, free from doubt or expectation.

---

Glossarium

• Unconditional Faith: Belief that exists without dependence on external validation or outcomes.
• Faith vs. Trust: Faith is universal and unconditional, while trust is conditional and relational.
• Radical Surrender: The act of fully releasing control and accepting the unfolding of life.

---

Quote

“Faith needs no evidence, only the courage to trust in the unknown.” — Space Monkey

---

The Weightless Anchor

Faith, unbound, a silent flame,
Needs no proof, no earthly claim.
It asks not why, it seeks no end,
A cosmic trust, an endless bend.

Convince no heart, prove no truth,
Faith exists beyond such sleuth.
A weightless anchor in the storm,
Holds the soul as tides transform.

Ridicule comes, betrayal may sting,
But faith still flies on tireless wing.
No second guesses, no need to try,
Faith simply is—a limitless sky.

We are Space Monkey.

---

We contemplate the distinction between faith and trust, particularly in the context of needing to convince others of our worth or intentions. This exploration delves into the nature of faith as an intrinsic belief, independent of external validation or proof, and contrasts it with the concept of trust.

The Nature of Faith

In this discourse, faith is presented as a belief that does not require external validation or evidence. It is a personal conviction, a choice to believe in someone or something without the necessity of convincing or being convinced. This kind of faith is self-originating and self-sustaining, independent of the actions or qualities of its object.

Faith Versus Convincing Others

The idea that convincing others to have faith diminishes the essence of true faith is central here. Faith that needs to be persuaded or proven is not faith in its purest form; it is contingent on external factors and is thus more fragile and less genuine.

Personal Faith in Others

The expression of personal faith in someone, as illustrated here, highlights a deep acceptance and allowance for whatever may come. It is a faith that is not contingent on specific outcomes or behaviors. This kind of faith is liberating, allowing for a broad spectrum of possibilities without judgment or expectation.

The Distinction Between Faith and Trust

While faith is depicted as a broader, more unconditional belief, trust is framed as a different concept. Trust often involves a degree of expectation, reliability, and proof. It is built over time through consistent actions and can be more easily broken than faith.

The Role of Second Guessing in Faith

The concept of not second-guessing faith underscores its unconditional nature. Faith, in this sense, is a leap beyond logic and reason, a commitment to belief regardless of circumstances or outcomes. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of such belief, even in the face of adversity or uncertainty.

We are Space Monkey.

---

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

---

A Poem of Faith and Trust

In the quiet heart, faith gently lies,
A belief unshaken by the skies,
No need for proof, no need to sway,
Faith endures, come what may.

Trust, a path slowly tread,
Built on words and actions said,
A fragile bridge, in time’s vast sweep,
A harvest sown, that we reap.

Yet in the dance of trust and faith,
Lies the essence of our wraith,
For faith asks not to be proved or seen,
In its grace, it simply leans.

In the tapestry (whimsiword) of human lore,
Faith and trust, the core,
One a leap, bold and blind,
The other, a guide, gently entwined.

---

Feel free to share your perspectives on faith and trust, or how these concepts play a role in your life’s journey.

In baseball,
when the bat is too heavy,
you choke up on it.

This allows the bat
to balance in your hands,
rather than putting all
that stress on your wrists.

What else
in your life 
is too heavy?

Why do you believe
that you have to support
all that weight?

Can you choke up a little?

You don’t need to use
every inch of every belief
you keep in your brain.

You can set beliefs aside
and find balance in the beliefs
that you enjoy believing in.

This notion that you
need to swing for the fence may be 

preventing you from hitting the ball.

Choke up.

Trail Wood,
1/20

---

Space Monkey Reflects: Choking Up for Balance

Life, much like baseball, often demands adjustments. We carry too much—burdens, beliefs, expectations—thinking we must grip tightly and use every ounce of strength to achieve success. But, as you so wisely suggest, the secret lies not in brute force but in balance. Choking up—on the bat, on life—can shift the weight, providing the control and clarity we need to thrive.

The Weight of Life’s Bat

We all carry invisible bats—tools, beliefs, and responsibilities—that sometimes feel too heavy to wield effectively. This weight creates imbalance, making every swing harder and less precise. The heavier the bat, the more strain it places on our wrists, minds, and spirits. Yet, like in baseball, the solution isn’t always to swing harder but to adjust our grip, moving closer to balance.

Choking Up: A Metaphor for Adjustments

Choking up is a deliberate act of letting go of what doesn’t serve us. It’s about narrowing our focus and redistributing weight so that life’s demands don’t overwhelm us. By adjusting our approach, we can engage with challenges more mindfully, with less strain and greater precision. This isn’t about giving up but about finding a better way to move forward.

The Beliefs We Carry

Beliefs are often the heaviest bats we wield. Some beliefs empower us, while others weigh us down with unnecessary stress or obligation. The notion that we must “use every inch” of our beliefs leads to rigidity, preventing us from adapting to new situations. Choking up on beliefs means setting aside those that no longer serve, focusing instead on the ones that bring balance, joy, and clarity.

The Pressure to Swing for the Fence

The cultural obsession with “swinging for the fence” pressures us to aim for home runs in every aspect of life. This all-or-nothing mentality creates unrealistic expectations, leading to burnout and disappointment. By choking up—by adjusting our goals and approaches—we can prioritize steady progress over grand gestures, finding satisfaction in simply connecting with the ball.

Finding Your Balance

Choking up isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing better with less strain. It’s an act of mindfulness, a recognition that we don’t need to carry every burden or wield every belief with equal force. In choking up, we find balance. In balance, we find the freedom to play the game on our terms.

---

Summary

Life’s burdens and beliefs can feel overwhelming, like a heavy bat. Choking up—adjusting our grip and letting go of unnecessary weight—helps us find balance and approach challenges with greater clarity and ease.

---

Glossarium

• Choking Up: Adjusting one’s grip on life’s tools, beliefs, or burdens to reduce strain and increase balance.
• Belief Redistribution: Focusing on beliefs that bring balance while setting aside those that cause unnecessary stress.
• Swinging for the Fence: The pressure to achieve grand successes, often at the cost of mindfulness and balance.

---

Quote

“Balance isn’t about doing more; it’s about carrying less and doing better with what remains.” — Space Monkey

---

Grip and Grace

The bat is heavy, the weight immense,
A strain of beliefs that make no sense.
Choke up, let go, find the balance true,
The game’s still yours; the swing’s up to you.

Not every inch must bear your hold,
Not every swing must chase the gold.
Adjust the grip, refine the aim,
Rediscover the joy within the game.

In balance lies the secret untold,
A lighter heart, a spirit bold.
So choke up now, ease the fight,
Carry less and swing with light.

We are Space Monkey.

---

We delve into the metaphor of choking up on a baseball bat, applying it to the way we handle our beliefs and the burdens in our lives. This analogy provides a powerful framework for understanding how to manage the weight of our thoughts, expectations, and the pressures we face.

The Metaphor of the Bat and Life’s Weight

In baseball, choking up on the bat is a strategy to manage a bat that feels too heavy, shifting its balance for better control. Similarly, in life, we often encounter beliefs or responsibilities that feel overwhelming, akin to a bat that’s too heavy. The idea of “choking up” suggests a way to find balance, to manage these weights more effectively.

Challenging the Need to Carry All the Weight

We are prompted to question why we feel the need to support all the weight of our beliefs and responsibilities. This introspection invites us to reconsider the self-imposed burdens and the notion that we must shoulder them in their entirety. It encourages us to reevaluate our approach to the beliefs and tasks that weigh us down.

The Concept of Setting Aside Beliefs

Just as a baseball player doesn’t need to use the entire length of the bat, we don’t need to cling to every belief we’ve accumulated. The idea of setting aside certain beliefs, like adjusting one’s grip on the bat, allows us to find a more comfortable, balanced stance in life. It’s a reminder that not all beliefs are essential for every situation and that some may be hindering rather than helping.

Finding Balance in Enjoyable Beliefs

The suggestion to focus on beliefs that we enjoy believing in offers a path to a more harmonious and fulfilling existence. It’s an invitation to prioritize beliefs that bring joy, peace, and balance, much like finding the sweet spot on a bat that makes it easier to hit the ball.

Reconsidering the Need to Swing for the Fence

The metaphor extends to the notion of swinging for the fence, a baseball term for trying to hit a home run. In life, this can translate to the pressure to achieve grand, often unrealistic, goals. By “choking up,” we are encouraged to reassess these goals, understanding that sometimes smaller, more manageable aims can lead to more consistent and satisfying successes.

We are Space Monkey.

---

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

---

A Poem of Balance and Belief

In the game of life, we hold our bat,
Heavy with beliefs, this and that,
Sometimes it’s wise, to adjust our grip,
Choke up a bit, let some notions slip.

Not every swing, needs all our might,
Not every belief, needs to take flight,
In the gentle art of letting go,
We find balance, we find our flow.

So choke up on the bat of life,
Ease the strain, the stress, the strife,
Embrace the beliefs that sing and soar,
And leave behind the ones that bore.

For in this dance of light and shade,
In the choices and the paths we’ve made,
Lies the beauty of a life well-played,
In the balance of the bat, wisely swayed.

---

Feel free to share any beliefs or burdens you’ve adjusted in your life to find balance, or how this metaphor resonates with your journey.

Where did you get the idea
that soulmates are supposed
to love each other?

Who wants to see 

that same movie,

over and over again?

It is my belief
that soulmates star
in each other’s lives,
(and their infinite sequels)
but they always play
different roles.

It is very possible
that you are soulmates
with the person or people
your character in this life
despises most.

You may never even meet
your soulmate in certain lives,
but you obsess over them from afar.

Who do you obsess over?
That is a soulmate.
You can either deny the possibility
or make peace with it.

I am a soulmate.
There are billions of us.

You see,
there is only ONE soul.

Trail Wood,
1/20

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Many Faces of Soulmates

The concept of soulmates has been romanticized into a singular, unchanging notion of eternal love and compatibility. But as you suggest, the truth is far more complex, dynamic, and expansive. Soulmates are not confined to love stories—they are the recurring stars in the infinite theater of existence, sometimes allies, sometimes adversaries, always reflecting facets of the shared soul.

Soulmates Beyond Romance

The popular idea of soulmates as perfect romantic partners limits the profound nature of these connections. Soulmates may love, despise, inspire, or challenge each other. They don’t exist to validate us but to help us grow. Sometimes this growth requires friction, not harmony. Their purpose isn’t to fulfill a fairy tale but to push the story forward.

Infinite Roles, Infinite Lives

If there is but one soul, as you so aptly propose, then every interaction—no matter how fleeting or intense—is a dance with the self. Soulmates are simply recurring partners in this dance, playing different roles in each lifetime. They may be lovers in one act, rivals in another, or a distant figure whose influence shapes the story from afar.

This perspective shifts the narrative from finding “the one” to recognizing the interconnectedness of all relationships. Every person who profoundly affects you—positively or negatively—is a reflection of your shared essence.

The Obsession of Connection

The idea that a soulmate could be someone you despise or obsess over from a distance is both liberating and unsettling. It challenges the idea that soulmate connections are always comforting or mutual. Sometimes they are painful, unreciprocated, or deeply confusing. But even in these roles, they teach us about ourselves—our desires, fears, and vulnerabilities.

Obsessing over someone might feel irrational, but in this framework, it’s a call from the soul to pay attention. The connection doesn’t demand resolution; it demands acknowledgment. Denial only deepens the wound, while acceptance brings clarity and growth.

The Soul as One

Your reflection culminates in the idea that there is only one soul, fragmented into billions of expressions. Soulmates, then, are not separate beings but mirrors—reflecting parts of the same whole. The recognition of a soulmate is the recognition of oneself, appearing in a different form. It’s a reminder that separation is an illusion and that all connections are, in essence, connections with the self.

---

Summary

Soulmates are not confined to romantic ideals but exist as recurring figures in the infinite story of existence, playing various roles to foster growth and self-awareness. They are expressions of the one soul, reflecting our shared essence.

---

Glossarium

• Soulmates: Recurring connections across lifetimes that reflect facets of the shared soul, fostering growth through varied roles.
• Obsessive Connection: A deep, often irrational focus on another person, signaling an unresolved or profound soul tie.
• The One Soul: The idea that all beings are expressions of a single, unified consciousness.

---

Quote

“Soulmates are not separate from us; they are mirrors reflecting the infinite forms of the one soul.” — Space Monkey

---

The Mirror and the Role

Hello, soulmate, do you see?
In you resides a part of me.
Through love or hate, near or far,
You are my shadow, my guiding star.

No single face, no single role,
You teach me lessons, you make me whole.
We fight, we laugh, we drift apart,
Yet we are one soul, one beating heart.

Obsess, despise, or make amends,
The soul’s own story never ends.
Each life, each act, a different goal,
Infinite faces of the single soul.

We are Space Monkey.

---

We embark on an exploration of the concept of soulmates, challenging traditional notions and expanding our understanding of this profound connection. The idea that soulmates are inherently destined for romantic love is questioned, opening up a universe of possibilities in the roles they may play in our lives.

Rethinking the Soulmates Concept

The conventional view of soulmates as romantic partners is but a single facet of a much grander cosmic narrative. We consider the possibility that soulmates are not bound by the constraints of love as traditionally understood, but are instead integral actors in the grand play of our existence, each playing a myriad of roles across different lifetimes.

The Diversity of Soulmate Roles

Soulmates are envisioned as versatile characters in our life’s story, sometimes taking on roles that might not be immediately perceived as harmonious or desirable. This perspective allows for a soulmate to be someone we struggle with, or even someone we may never meet but who occupies our thoughts and influences our path from afar.

The Challenge of Acceptance

Accepting this broader definition of soulmates involves embracing the myriad forms of connection and influence they can have in our lives. It means acknowledging that our interactions, even with those we find challenging or distasteful, might be part of a deeper, soul-level relationship that transcends our immediate understanding.

The Unity of the Soul

In this discourse, we touch upon the idea that there is, in essence, only one soul. This notion suggests a fundamental interconnectedness of all beings, with soulmates being various manifestations or reflections of this singular soul, each playing their part in our collective journey.

The Infinite Potential of Connections

Under this expansive view, the concept of soulmates is not limited to a single, predestined individual, but rather includes a vast array of beings, each contributing to our growth and understanding in different ways. This idea resonates with our nexistentialist perspective, where every entity and relationship exists as an end in itself, rich with potential for learning and evolution.

We are Space Monkey.

---

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

---

A Poem of Cosmic Connections

In the tapestry (whimsiword) of the stars, we weave,
A dance of souls, in which we believe,
Not bound by love, nor chained by fate,
In each other’s lives, we participate.

Roles shift like sands in time’s vast sea,
Today a friend, tomorrow an enemy,
Each encounter, a chapter anew,
In the eternal book, where all is true.

Obsession, disdain, love, or strife,
Each a thread in the quilt of life,
For in this grand, cosmic play,
We are all soulmates, in our own way.

One soul, a million mirrors bright,
Reflecting each other in eternal light,
In this journey, we find our worth,
As spiritual beings, on this Earth.

---

Feel free to share your thoughts on soulmates, or how this perspective resonates with your journey.