I receive what I am given.
I work with what I am given.
I create with what I am given.
I react to what I am given.
I am grateful for what I am given.
I am given.
I am given.
I am only what I am given.
I am given.
I am given.
I am all that I am given.
I am given.
I am given.
I am this life that I am given.
I am given.
I am given.
Here to love what I am given.
Trail Wood,
10/18
Space Monkey Reflects: The Gift of Being Given
There is a profound simplicity in receiving. We often overlook this, caught up in the constant push to create, to act, to do. But before we can create or act, we must first receive. We receive what we are given by life—whether it’s circumstances, relationships, challenges, or opportunities. What we do with these gifts shapes who we are, but the essence of our experience is rooted in the act of receiving.
“I receive what I am given.” This is not a passive statement, but rather an acknowledgment of the flow of existence. We do not control what we are given, but we can control how we respond to it. The things that come to us are not random; they are the raw material from which we build our lives. It is in receiving that we begin the journey of creation.
We are given life, breath, time, and experience. These gifts are not always easy to recognize. Sometimes, we are given challenges that seem insurmountable, or situations that feel unfair. But even these are gifts, in their own way. They provide the foundation upon which we can build, learn, and grow.
To say, “I work with what I am given” is to embrace the creative power within each of us. We take what life hands us—whether it is joy, sorrow, opportunity, or hardship—and we shape it. We mold it into something meaningful, something that reflects our unique perspective and experience. This is the essence of creativity: not making something from nothing, but making something from what we are given.
But creativity does not exist in isolation. It is followed by reaction. “I react to what I am given” is the acknowledgment that life is a constant dialogue between ourselves and the world around us. We are not passive recipients of life’s gifts; we are active participants in the ongoing process of creation and reaction. Every moment offers us the opportunity to respond, to make choices, to engage with the world in a way that reflects who we are and what we value.
In this process of receiving, creating, and reacting, gratitude plays a central role. “I am grateful for what I am given” is more than just a statement of appreciation. It is an invitation to see the gifts in every aspect of life, even in the things that seem difficult or unwanted. Gratitude opens our eyes to the richness of our experience, helping us to recognize that everything we are given has the potential to shape us in meaningful ways.
At the core of all this is a deeper realization: I am given. I am not just a person who receives things; I am the gift itself. My existence, my presence in this life, is the result of being given. I did not create myself. I did not choose to be here. I was given life, and in that giving, I am connected to something far greater than myself.
This is where the reflection becomes truly expansive: I am all that I am given. I am not separate from the gifts I receive. I am the sum of these experiences, these moments, these relationships. Each thing that comes into my life adds to the mosaic of who I am. In receiving, I become.
And in becoming, I realize that my life is not just something I experience—it is something I am given. This life, with all its beauty and complexity, is a gift. And like any gift, it is meant to be cherished, appreciated, and used to its fullest potential.
I am this life that I am given. This statement is a reminder that we are not merely passing through life. We are life. Every breath, every thought, every emotion is part of the experience of being given this existence. And with this gift comes the responsibility to love it, to honor it, to make the most of what we have been given.
Ultimately, this reflection brings us to love. I am here to love what I am given. Love is the natural response to being given something so precious. When we receive life, we are called to love it—not just in the easy moments, but in all moments. To love what we are given is to embrace the fullness of life, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows, knowing that each part is a vital piece of the whole.
And so, I am given. I am given life. I am given love. I am given the chance to create, to react, to grow. Everything I am comes from this act of being given, and in return, I offer my love and gratitude for the gifts that continue to shape my existence.
Summary
Life is a gift, and we are constantly receiving. We create, react, and live with what we are given, recognizing that we are the sum of these experiences. Ultimately, we are called to love what we are given, as life itself is the greatest gift.
Glossarium
Giftwave – The continuous flow of receiving, creating, and reacting to life’s offerings, recognizing that all aspects of life are gifts.
Gratiflow – The state of being in constant gratitude for what life provides, seeing both challenges and joys as essential parts of the whole.
Givenself – The realization that we are not only recipients of life’s gifts but also the gift itself, embodying the experience of being given.
Quote
“I am given. I am all that I am given. I am here to love what I am given.” — Space Monkey
The Gift of Being
I open my hands
and receive
the light
the love
the breath of life.
I create with it
I react to it
I become it.
Grateful, I see
I am not just given
I am the gift.
We are Space Monkey
The Gifts Bestowed
Life unfolds in a series of moments, events, and experiences, presenting us with a plethora of gifts—some tangible, some intangible. These offerings, whether challenges or blessings, are the very essence of our existence, shaping our journey and our identity.
Receiving and Reacting
To receive is to be open—to embrace the multitude of wonders that life bestows upon us. From this act of acceptance, we react, molding and shaping our path with the materials provided. Every moment, every encounter, is a chance to build, to grow, to transform.
Creation from the Bestowed
With the raw materials of existence at our disposal, we curate a life of creation. From the canvas of our experiences, we paint a masterpiece that is uniquely ours. Each brushstroke, each hue, is a testament to the gifts we’ve been given and the artistry we bring forth.
A Testament of Gratitude
In acknowledging what we are given, we cultivate a spirit of gratitude. This deep-seated appreciation binds us to the present, anchoring our existence in the ebb and flow of life’s bounties. It is a humbling recognition of life’s generosity and the inherent worth of every gift.
The Essence of Being
At our core, we are the sum of what we are given. Each experience, each interaction, contributes to the mosaic of our identity. It is through this intricate pattern that we come to understand ourselves, cherishing the entirety of our being and our purpose.
We are Space Monkey.
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In a world that constantly gives,
We stand, hands outstretched, receiving.
Every moment, a precious gift,
A chance to grow, to keep believing.
From the simplest joys to profound truths,
Each gift molds us, defines our essence,
In gratitude, we find our roots,
Embracing life’s benevolent presence.
Your reflections serve as a poignant reminder of life’s gifts. How do you cherish and nurture what you are given?
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