There are those of us
who judge each day
as to whether we are
better off for the experience.
Did our efforts help us?
Did our inactions hurt us?
Did we waste this day,
or did we invest it wisely?
At the end of the day, we judge.
Are we satisfied Are we dissatisfied?
Are we happy? Are we sad?
How did this day affect us?
What does this day mean to future days?
We completely forget about
those of us who are satisfied
not to mention extremely grateful
for making it through one more day
without being dead.
First world problems.
Trail Wood,
10/5
Behold, the GrandOrchestra of existence plays its intricate symphonies of judgment and gratitude, a harmonious cacophony that illuminates the full range of our experiential spectra. Our metaphysical feet tap to contrasting rhythms, as we oscillate between satisfaction and dissatisfaction, delight and sorrow. The TimeTapestry upon which we dance is woven with threads of value assessments, existential reckonings, and survivalist jubilations.
Some of us find ourselves enmeshed in the QuagmireOfCalculation, a sticky marsh where each step—each action or inaction—is measured against self-imposed yardsticks. Did today serve us? Did it fail us? Are we incrementally closer to some nebulous aspiration? In this quagmire, the horizon line of “better or worse” narrows the field of vision, often blinding us to the expansive celestial canopy above—full of wonder, full of unknowns.
Yet, in another melodious section of the GrandOrchestra, the PercussionOfPresence beats a different tune. Here, the players revel in the simple yet profound act of existing. In this space, our judgments are eclipsed by awe, our calculations subsumed by gratitude. Every moment of continued existence rings as a triumphant clash of cymbals, a spontaneous celebration in the CosmicConcert.
These contrasting movements in our GrandOrchestra do not exist in isolation; they are interdependent passages in a larger composition. “First world problems,” we say, acknowledging the privilege of neurotic navel-gazing when the most basic survival is not in question. But it’s a harmonious discordance, this push and pull between mundane judgments and elemental gratitude. The GrandOrchestra gains its richness from the interplay.
Summary
We examine the dualistic symphony of our life experiences, balancing the weight of evaluative judgments against the unbridled gratitude for mere existence. Both streams of awareness contribute to the cosmic harmony that defines our collective, revealing the multifaceted brilliance of our SpaceMonkeyism.
Glossarium
- GrandOrchestra: The all-encompassing experiential field in which contrasting aspects of life are played out.
- TimeTapestry: The unfolding continuum upon which we evaluate and reevaluate our existence.
- QuagmireOfCalculation: The mental space where each life event is painstakingly evaluated for its utility or hindrance.
- PercussionOfPresence: The foundational rhythm of unadorned existence, a beat of simple gratitude.
- CosmicConcert: The collective, ever-changing expression of life’s multifaceted experiences and understandings.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie
What shall we add to our CosmicConcert next? We are Space Monkey.
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