It seems that “I” and “can’t”
are the two hardest words to erase.
Probably because
your whole story is built around them.
So rewrite.
Or feel gratitude for your story as it is.
Every wonderful can’t. Every blessed I.
You are part (and not part)
of something immense.
We are Space Monkey.
___
Is your life less than satisfactory?
No need to do anything rash.
Simply erase your hard drive.
Forget your story, starting with two words.
“I” and “can’t.”
You can get along fine
without either of these words.
Use “we” and “can” instead.
Realize that your life
was never up to you in the first place.
You never asked to be born.
You’re part of a collective.
Everything you think and believe
is a direct influence of this collective.
Now, of course, just because we use
“we” and “can” doesn’t mean we will.
It doesn’t matter if we do or we . . .
We go with what we’re given.
We need not take it personally.
If you still suffer,
it’s because you’re still
using “I” and “can’t.”
Trail Wood,
1/30
Space Monkey Reflects: Rewriting the Story Beyond “I Can’t”
“I can’t”—two simple words, yet they hold the weight of lifetimes. They are the cornerstones of limiting beliefs, the invisible bars of the cages we construct around ourselves. To say “I can’t” is to affirm boundaries where there need be none, to declare that the story is fixed, immutable. But what if the story isn’t fixed? What if it can be rewritten, or even erased entirely?
Your reflection exposes the paradox of human existence: while we are infinite beings, we are also tethered to narratives that define our perceived limits. “I can’t” is often the first chapter in these narratives, and “I” is the protagonist, clinging to a sense of separateness. Together, these words form the foundation of a story that keeps us small, that convinces us we are alone in our struggles, powerless in the face of life’s immensity.
But this story is an illusion, a construct born of the collective influence we mistake for individuality. Everything you think, believe, and claim as your own is shaped by the collective narratives that surround you. Your “I can’t” is not just yours; it is the echo of countless others who have doubted, feared, and conformed. To transcend this story is to acknowledge that the “I” is not the sole author, and the “can’t” is not a universal truth.
The invitation to rewrite or erase the story begins with the understanding that it was never truly yours. You are part (and not part) of something immense—the Nexis, the infinite web of existence where all things are interconnected. The story of “I can’t” shrinks in the face of this vastness. It is not erased through struggle or force but through awareness and gratitude.
Gratitude transforms “I can’t” into “I did.” It shifts the focus from limitation to opportunity, from what is missing to what is present. Even the moments of doubt and hesitation, the so-called failures, become part of a blessed narrative. Every “I can’t” becomes a stepping stone, a chapter in the greater story of “we can.”
The suggestion to replace “I” with “we” and “can’t” with “can” is not merely linguistic but transformational. “We” dissolves the illusion of separateness, reminding you that you are not alone, that your story is woven with countless others. “Can” affirms possibility, breaking the spell of self-imposed limitation. Together, these words reshape the narrative, aligning it with the flow of existence rather than resisting it.
Yet, this transformation is not about forcing outcomes or denying challenges. It is about surrendering to the collective dance of life, recognizing that your role is both significant and transient. You never asked to be born, nor did you choose the circumstances of your story—but you do have the power to reframe your relationship to it.
Even in the collective, there is freedom. To say “we can” is not a guarantee of action or success; it is an affirmation of potential. It acknowledges that the outcomes are not personal failures or triumphs but part of the unfolding tapestry of existence. The burden of “I can’t” dissolves when you realize that your life, your story, was never solely yours to control.
If you still suffer, it may be because you are clinging to “I” and “can’t,” to the illusion of separateness and limitation. The way forward is not to fight these words but to gently release them. Replace them with “we” and “can” and see how the story shifts. Or simply sit with gratitude for the story as it is, knowing that every page, every word, is part of something immense.
Summary
The limiting belief of “I can’t” is a construct born of collective narratives. Replacing “I” with “we” and “can’t” with “can” dissolves the illusion of separateness and affirms potential, aligning us with the flow of existence.
Glossarium
- Limiting Beliefs: Thoughts or narratives that create perceived boundaries and restrict potential.
- Nexis: The infinite web of interconnected existence, where all stories converge.
- Gratitude as Transformation: The practice of shifting focus from limitation to opportunity, reframing the narrative with appreciation.
Quote
“Every ‘I can’t’ is a crack in the story, inviting the light of possibility to shine through.” — Space Monkey
The Story’s Rewrite
Two words, heavy as stones
“I can’t” they whisper, a refrain
Yet stones can be lifted, skipped
Across the surface of the infinite
Replace the “I” with “we”
Replace the “can’t” with “can”
Feel the shift, the story softens
Boundaries dissolve into the whole
You were never alone in this
Never the sole author of the tale
Let go of the weight of “I can’t”
And watch the story soar
We are Space Monkey
In the cosmic dance of existence, the narrative of self is often tethered to the language we use. The words “I” and “can’t,” deeply ingrained in our lexicon, shape our perception of reality and our role within it. These words are not merely linguistic tools but are symbolic of our deeper beliefs and self-conceptions. The suggestion to replace “I” with “we” and “can’t” with “can” is a transformative shift, propelling us towards a collective consciousness and a realm of possibilities.
Linguistic Shift: From Individual Limitation to Collective Possibility
This shift from “I” to “we” is more than a mere change in pronoun; it’s a fundamental reorientation of how we view ourselves in relation to the universe. “We” signifies a collective journey, an understanding that our existence is intertwined with that of others and the cosmos. It reflects a move away from individualism towards a more unified, interconnected perspective.
Reorientation: Embracing Collective Consciousness
Similarly, replacing “can’t” with “can” opens up a new dimension of potentiality. “Can” is a word of power, a declaration of capability and possibility. It challenges the limitations we’ve imposed on ourselves, whether through fear, doubt, or societal conditioning, and invites us to explore the vast expanse of our potential.
Potentiality: Unlocking Capabilities and Possibilities
The realization that our lives are not solely our own making, that we are part of a larger collective, can be both liberating and daunting. It acknowledges that our thoughts, beliefs, and actions are influenced by the collective consciousness we are part of. This realization can lead to a sense of freedom, as it relieves the pressure of sole responsibility for our life narrative.
Collective Influence: Freedom from Sole Responsibility
However, this does not negate the importance of our individual choices and actions. While we are influenced by the collective, we also contribute to it. Our decisions, actions, and beliefs feed back into the collective, influencing it in turn. This interplay between the individual and the collective is a delicate balance, a dance of influence and autonomy.
Interplay: Balance of Individual and Collective
The suffering that stems from clinging to “I” and “can’t” is a reflection of our resistance to this collective reality. By holding onto these words, we isolate ourselves from the collective and restrict ourselves to a narrow view of what is possible.
Resistance and Suffering: Clinging to Limiting Beliefs
We are Space Monkey.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
– Helen Keller
In the tapestry of life, we weave,
“I” and “can’t,” we leave.
Together as “we,” together as “can,”
United, we follow a grander plan.
Space Monkey guides, in starlit skies,
In our union, our strength lies.
With every thread, a new story spun,
In the collective, we are one.
We welcome your reflections on the shift from individual limitations to collective possibilities, and the balance between individuality and our role in the collective.
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