Seems
everybody wants to be
what they want to be,
yet nobody wants to be
who they are.
Why is that?
Are we not good enough for ourselves?
Why must we be “better”
than what we are in the present moment?
What do these thoughts of lack do for us,
other than color our perception?
Do you like being ruled
by someone you may never be?
When the image of what you want to be
doesn’t match the image of who you are
(and it NEVER does)
you’re telling yourself that what you are
isn’t good enough.
How does that make you feel?
Why must you perpetually
put yourself into a state
of “not good enough?”
If you’re “not good enough,”
this only goes to show
that you’re “not good enough”
to judge the circumstances
in your life. Nor should you.
You can’t have it both ways.
Face up to it.
You lack the necessary ability
to judge whether “what you want to be”
is better than “what you are.”
Even if you were to become
this illusory person,
you’d still be chasing after “better,”
and you’d probably be no happier
than you are in the present moment.
That is, unless you become happy
with the present moment NOW.
Accept what is
as PRECISELY what needs to be.
Because it is.
And you are.
Don’t force things.
People actually like you
the way you are,
even if you don’t see it.
People don’t need you to be
anything more
than what is now
contained in your smile.
We are Space Monkey,
and we are happy about that.
4/7
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Essence of Being
In the theater of life, where the play of becoming often overshadows the act of being, there exists a profound disconnect between who we are and who we wish to be. This chasm, filled with the shadows of dissatisfaction and the echoes of unmet aspirations, is where many find themselves lost, perpetually chasing after a version of themselves that remains forever out of reach. Yet, it is within this very pursuit that the possibility of awakening lies—a realization that the journey towards self-acceptance is not a path of becoming something other, but a process of recognizing and embracing the essence of who we already are.
The relentless pursuit of an idealized self is akin to chasing reflections in a hall of mirrors, where every image is but a distorted echo of the truth. This endless quest not only distances us from our authentic selves but also blinds us to the inherent value and beauty of our present being. The irony of this pursuit is that in striving to become what we are not, we often overlook the richness and depth of what we already possess. It is a cycle of desire that feeds on the illusion of lack, perpetuating a sense of inadequacy that is as unfounded as it is destructive.
Why, then, do we cling to these illusions? The answer lies in the mistaken belief that our worth is measured by our achievements, our status, or our conformity to societal standards of perfection. We are conditioned to believe that happiness and fulfillment lie just beyond the horizon of our current selves, in a future where we are smarter, wealthier, or more attractive. Yet, this horizon is an illusion, forever receding as we approach, leaving us feeling perpetually “not good enough.”
The path to self-acceptance begins with the recognition that we are, at this very moment, exactly as we need to be. This does not imply complacency or the denial of personal growth; rather, it is an acknowledgment of our inherent worth and the understanding that true growth comes from within, not from conforming to external ideals. It is in embracing our imperfections, our quirks, and our unique perspectives that we find our true strength and beauty. For it is our differences, not our similarities, that make us truly remarkable.
In this light, the journey of life transforms from a quest for perfection to an exploration of self-discovery. Each step, each moment of being, becomes an opportunity to celebrate our existence, to revel in the joy of simply being alive. When we let go of the need to be anything other than ourselves, we open our hearts to the richness of the present moment and the infinite possibilities that it holds.
As we stand in the sunlit clearing of self-acceptance, we realize that the happiness we sought in becoming was always within us, in the act of being. It is in the smiles we share, the laughter that fills the air, and the love that we give and receive, that we find our true selves. For it is not in the image of what we want to be, but in the reality of who we are, that our greatest potential lies.
Summary
Chasing an idealized self leads us away from true self-acceptance. Recognizing and embracing our present being is the path to fulfillment. This journey transforms our perspective, inviting us to find joy and potential in simply being ourselves.
Glossarium
- Theater of Life: The dynamic, ever-changing experience of living.
- Sunlit Clearing of Self-Acceptance: A metaphorical place of peace and understanding where one fully accepts oneself.
Quote
“Seems everybody wants to be what they want to be, yet nobody wants to be who they are.” – Space Monkey
In the dance of shadows, a quest unfolds
Chasing echoes, stories untold
Yet amidst the pursuit, a truth so bold
In being, not becoming, our hearts take hold
With each step, the mirrors crack
Revealing the essence we thought we lack
In acceptance, there’s nothing we miss or backtrack
For in our authentic selves, nothing is amiss or lack
The sunlit clearing calls, a vision serene
A place where our true selves can be seen
Not in the chase, but in moments in between
We find the joy of being, pure and keen
Let go of the shadows, embrace the light
In self-acceptance, our spirits take flight
For in the art of being, we find our might
In the heart of existence, our souls ignite
We are not the reflections in the chase
But the light that shines, a timeless grace
In the journey of self, our true embrace
We find our place, in the endless space
We are Space Monkey, in this dance of light and shadow
In the embrace of self, our spirits bellow
For in the essence of being, we are mellow
In the journey of existence, we are fellow
It is true that many of us struggle with accepting ourselves as we are, and instead, we focus on becoming someone or something else. We may believe that this will bring us happiness or fulfillment, but in reality, it often leads to feelings of inadequacy and discontent.
Your reminder to accept the present moment as precisely what needs to be is powerful. It allows us to release the need to judge ourselves and our circumstances and instead, embrace ourselves with compassion and love.
I appreciate your message to not force things and to trust that people like us just the way we are. It is a beautiful reminder that we are enough and that our unique qualities are what make us lovable and valuable.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and joy with us, Space Monkey.