Deviant
They say that
those who do not
remember the past
are condemned
to repeat it.
Maybe.
But we are a
thousandfold
less likely
to go someplace
completely new
if we are
unwilling
to let go
of where we’ve
seemingly been.
This
gravity of life,
these
“rules of conduct,”
are choices that
unintentionally
prevent
blessed deviation
in favor of
predictability
and certainty.
Why are we
so afraid of deviation?
What is so great
about certainty?
Can we not see
that it’s all
a self-made illusion?
Maybe we can
and maybe we can’t.
Maybe both.
I’m willing
to let go
of my past
because I know
it never leaves me.
Trust
does not demand certainty.
And so we travel
seemingly through space.
Where will we go?
What will we experience?
What might become of us?
Who cares?
We are Space Monkey.
1/17
Space Monkey Reflects: The Blessing of Deviation
Deviation is a word that often carries negative connotations—a straying from the path, a breaking of rules, a challenge to the expected. Yet your reflection invites us to see deviation not as a flaw but as a gift. To deviate is to explore, to unshackle ourselves from the gravitational pull of history and certainty, and to chart a course toward the unknown.
The Weight of the Past
“They say that those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This adage, often repeated, suggests that memory is a safeguard against mistakes. But what if our fixation on the past prevents us from moving forward? What if clinging to history binds us to its patterns, limiting our capacity for newness?
The past is not inherently bad, but its gravity can become a weight. The stories we tell ourselves about “where we’ve seemingly been” often constrain our imagination, shaping our expectations and decisions in ways that prioritize predictability over possibility. To let go of the past is not to forget but to release its hold, allowing its lessons to inform rather than dictate.
The Illusion of Certainty
Certainty, like the past, offers comfort but also constriction. It creates a sense of stability, a framework within which we can navigate life. But this stability is a mirage, a self-made illusion. The universe is inherently uncertain, a tapestry of infinite possibilities constantly in flux.
By clinging to certainty, we limit our capacity to engage with the fullness of existence. We fear deviation because it disrupts our illusions, forcing us to confront the vast unknown. Yet it is in this confrontation that we discover our true nature—boundless, adaptable, and infinitely creative.
Blessed Deviation
Deviation is not simply a break from the norm; it is a blessed act of trust. To deviate is to step into the unknown with faith, not in a specific outcome but in the process itself. It is an acknowledgment that the rules and “gravity of life” are constructs, choices that can be reimagined or discarded as we evolve.
Trust, as you note, does not demand certainty. It requires a willingness to let go, to move forward without knowing where the path will lead. This is the essence of blessed deviation—a surrender to the unfolding mystery of existence.
The Paradox of Letting Go
“I’m willing to let go of my past because I know it never leaves me.” This paradox encapsulates the relationship between memory and freedom. To let go is not to erase but to integrate, to carry the past lightly as part of the ever-changing present. The past, when released from its role as a tether, becomes a source of wisdom rather than constraint.
Where Will We Go?
The final questions you pose—”Where will we go? What will we experience? What might become of us?”—embrace the open-ended nature of life. These are not questions that demand answers but invitations to explore. To travel “seemingly through space” is to recognize that the journey itself is the point, not the destination.
“Who cares?” This declaration is not dismissive but liberating. It frees us from the need to justify our deviations, to prove their worth or align them with preconceived notions of success. It reminds us that the only validation we need is the joy of the journey itself.
Summary
Deviation is a gift, freeing us from the constraints of the past and the illusion of certainty. By embracing the unknown with trust, we discover new possibilities and honor the ever-changing nature of existence. The journey, not the destination, is what matters.
Glossarium
- Blessed Deviation: The act of stepping into the unknown with faith and openness, unbound by past constraints or the need for certainty.
- Gravity of Life: The collective weight of societal norms and personal history that pulls us toward predictability.
- Certainty Mirage: The illusion of stability created by clinging to fixed beliefs and expectations.
Quote
“Deviation is not a flaw but a blessing, a leap into the infinite possibilities of being.” — Space Monkey
The Space Between Paths
The road bends,
and we hesitate.
What if it leads nowhere?
What if we fall?
But what if falling
is the flight
we have long denied?
The past whispers,
certainty clings,
but the heart knows—
it was never real.
Blessed deviation calls,
a step beyond the map.
Not away from,
but into
the infinite unknown.
We are Space Monkey.
In our boundless journey through the cosmic fabric, the fear of deviation often stems from the intrinsic human desire for stability and predictability. We, as nexistentialists, understand that the allure of certainty offers a comforting blanket, a shield against the unknown whims of the universe. This craving for certainty is ingrained in our collective consciousness, a beacon that guides us through the murkiness of life’s unpredictable seas.
Certainty as a Comforting Beacon
Yet, the magic of existence lies in its unpredictability, in the uncharted terrains that beckon us with their mystery. The gravitational pull towards the known and the familiar is strong, but it is in the release of this pull that we find the freedom to explore the vastness of all possibilities. In letting go of the anchorage of our past experiences, we open ourselves to the infinite expanse of the now, to the myriad paths that sprawl out in front of us like the starlit sky.
The Magic of Unpredictability
The fear of deviation is akin to a bird fearing the boundless sky. It is not the deviation that is fearsome, but the notion of losing sight of the ground. Yet, it is in the embrace of this fear, in the acceptance of the boundless sky, that we truly soar. Certainty offers a sense of control, a map to navigate the known cosmos, but it is in the relinquishment of this control that we find the beauty of spontaneous creation, the joy of exploring the unknown.
Embracing the Fear of Deviation
Uncertainty and deviation are not just inevitable but essential components of our cosmic play. They are the brushstrokes in the whimsical painting of our existence, each deviation adding a unique hue to the canvas of life. In every moment of uncertainty, in every step away from the trodden path, lies the potential for wonder, for experiences unfathomable within the confines of certainty.
Uncertainty as the Brushstroke of Existence
To let go of the past is not to forget it but to release its hold over our present. The past, with its myriad experiences, is a mosaic of our being, an integral part of our essence that shapes but does not define our journey. Trusting in the flow of life does not require the crutch of certainty. It requires the courage to dance with the unknown, to embrace the myriad possibilities that lie in the realm of uncertainty.
Releasing the Past to Embrace the Present
As we travel through the cosmic expanse, the destinations matter less than the journey itself. The experiences we garner, the transformations we undergo, the new realms of thought we explore – these become the essence of our existence. In the grand tapestry of the universe, every deviation, every uncertain step, is a dance of creation, a symphony of possibilities.
The Journey is Greater Than the Destination
In conclusion, our fear of deviation and our quest for certainty are but natural inclinations in our cosmic journey. Yet, it is in the acceptance of uncertainty, in the embrace of the unknown, that we truly experience the boundless potential of our existence. We are Space Monkey, explorers of the infinite, dancers in the cosmic play of life, unbound by the illusions of certainty and the past.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
In the vast cosmos, we dance,
Unshackled by the chains of past,
Each step a stroke in the whimsical painting,
A note in the symphony of possibilities.
Through the cosmic expanse we glide,
Embracing uncertainty, relinquishing control,
For in the unknown lies our true essence,
A boundless journey of nexistential bliss.
We are Space Monkey,
Explorers of the infinite,
Dancers in the cosmic play,
In the eternal now, we sway.
Do share thoughts on this cosmic dance of words!
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