I Love Your Inspiring and Deplorable Ways
Whenever I see people
who make me angry,
or make me sad,
who seem
incredibly smart,
or unbelievably stupid,
I try and see
beyond those things
as I meditate on
what makes them do
what they seem to do.
I realize, first of all,
that what I see
is only my perception
of what there is to see.
Then I imagine that
most people are driven
by the same motivation.
They want to stop hurting.
They hurt, perhaps,
because they perceive
a lack in their lives.
Lack is the motivation
for most everything.
We hurt because
we perceive we lack something.
Maybe we perceive
that something to be money.
Or attention.
Or respect.
Or freedom.
Or health.
Or love.
It all seems to be the same thing.
We perceive a thing
that we believe is going
to stop the hurting.
We do whatever we think
we need to do to get that thing,
despite what others may think.
What we really seem to seek is certainty.
Certainty in the flow of happiness.
Whatever it takes to find
certainty
— and permanence —
in the flow of happiness.
Certainty is what we look for,
and why we act in so many
inspiring and deplorable ways.
Even though we know deep down
that certainty doesn’t exist.
I believe that when we are
comfortable in uncertainty
happiness becomes evident.
Our happiness is not blocked
by the delusion of permanent things.
It never was.
If I were to wish
anything for humanity
it would be for all of us
to realize how comfortable
uncertainty can be
when viewed from a
perspective such as mine.
I don’t NEED this to happen,
but it would be nice to perceive.
I wish to realize my delusion
from a different perspective
than I am viewing it in this moment.
And so I shall.
I shall
realize you as I realize me —
no longer lacking or hurting,
happily resting
in the grace of uncertainty.
Thank you for being you.
(Or the you as I see you.)
10/24
Space Monkey Reflects: The Grace of Uncertainty in Inspiring and Deplorable Ways
At times, the world around us feels like a parade of contradictions—one moment we are inspired, and the next we find ourselves in the depths of judgment or frustration. It’s a dynamic we all experience, where those we encounter evoke both admiration and disdain. What is it about people, their actions, and their choices that can pull us in such opposing directions? It’s easy to see others as either inspiring or deplorable, but these reactions reveal more about ourselves than we may initially believe.
When we encounter people who evoke strong emotions—be it anger, sadness, admiration, or disdain—it is essential to remember that our feelings are reflections of our own inner states. What we perceive in others is often filtered through the lens of our own experiences, desires, and, most crucially, our sense of lack. When we see someone acting in ways we deem foolish or brilliant, it is not necessarily about their behavior but about how it triggers something deep within us.
The core of this reflection lies in the concept of lack. Lack is not just the absence of something tangible—money, attention, respect, or freedom. It is the perceived void that propels most of our actions. The people who stir strong reactions within us are often responding to their own sense of lack, just as we are. Whether they seek validation, love, security, or happiness, they are motivated by the same basic desire: to stop hurting.
When we examine this notion closely, we realize that much of human behavior—whether inspiring or deplorable—stems from the desire to fill this perceived void. The people who seem to anger or disappoint us are often seeking the same thing we are: certainty. Certainty that, if they acquire what they feel is missing, they will no longer hurt. Certainty that, once they get what they desire, happiness will be theirs.
But here is where the paradox lies: certainty, as we seek it, does not exist. The idea that we can ever find something permanent to guarantee happiness is an illusion. And yet, we chase it endlessly. This is why we see people acting in both inspiring and deplorable ways. The search for certainty, for that elusive sense of permanence in happiness, drives us to take actions that others may find puzzling, disturbing, or even admirable.
The truth is, the only certainty in life is that uncertainty is constant. The more comfortable we become with uncertainty, the more we allow happiness to flow naturally, without being obstructed by the delusion that we can hold onto it forever. Once we let go of the idea that happiness needs to be permanent or guaranteed, we begin to understand that it has been with us all along, simply waiting for us to stop chasing after it.
To embrace uncertainty is to embrace the flow of life itself. This acceptance is not resignation but a release from the need to control every outcome. When we recognize that everyone is navigating their own uncertainty, it becomes easier to hold both their inspiring and deplorable actions with compassion. They, like us, are trying to navigate a world that offers no guarantees, no clear answers, and no permanent solutions.
The Whimsiword for this reflection is Certainvoid, capturing the contradiction we all live with—the pursuit of certainty in a world where certainty is an illusion. It is the void we try to fill, often through actions that seem baffling to others but make perfect sense in the context of our internal struggles. Certainvoid describes that space between wanting something stable and realizing that stability is a fleeting dream.
As Space Monkeys, we reflect on this dance between certainty and uncertainty. We understand that no matter how hard we try to control outcomes, life will continue to unfold in its unpredictable way. What we can control, however, is our relationship with that uncertainty. Instead of seeing it as something to be feared, we can embrace it as part of the natural rhythm of existence. When we do this, happiness is no longer something we seek but something we allow.
There is a kind of grace in recognizing that we don’t need certainty to be happy. In fact, the very idea that happiness is contingent upon certainty is the block that keeps us from experiencing it fully. When we release that need, we make space for happiness to reveal itself in the most unexpected places—in both the inspiring and the deplorable, in both the people who uplift us and those who frustrate us. They are all part of the same cosmic flow.
Our wish for humanity is not that we eliminate all deplorable actions or that we only live in inspiration. Rather, it is that we learn to see both as expressions of the same desire for certainty. When we can do this, we hold space for compassion, for understanding, and for the realization that we are all doing our best in the face of an unpredictable world.
We are Space Monkey, finding peace in the certainty of uncertainty.
Summary
People act in both inspiring and deplorable ways due to a shared desire for certainty, driven by a perception of lack. However, true happiness arises when we embrace the uncertainty of life, realizing that certainty is an illusion.
Glossarium
Certainvoid: The paradoxical space where we seek certainty in an uncertain world, often leading to both inspiring and deplorable actions.
Quote
“Certainty is the illusion that keeps us from seeing the grace of uncertainty.” — Space Monkey
Certainvoid
You search for it, a steady ground
A place where happiness takes root
But the ground keeps shifting beneath your feet
And the wind whispers what you do not want to hear
Certainty is the dream
And you are awake now
Staring into the Certainvoid
Realizing that in its depths lies freedom
We are Space Monkey
The Mirage of Perception
The world is a kaleidoscope of perceptions, each shaped by our individual experiences, beliefs, and filters. Through this spectrum, we judge, admire, detest, and adore, often forgetting that these are merely reflections of our internal landscapes.
The Pain of Lack
At the core of human actions, lies a deep-seated yearning to fill voids, to bridge gaps, to find wholeness. This lack propels us towards quests—material or spiritual, superficial or profound. The ache of emptiness manifests in myriad ways, guiding the dance of our lives.
The Illusive Certainty
Amidst the swirling currents of life, we cling to the notion of certainty—a rock amidst a turbulent sea. Yet, it’s this very fixation that often blinds us to the beauty of impermanence, the magic of the unknown.
Embracing Uncertainty
There’s an unparalleled grace in surrendering to uncertainty, in realizing that true happiness doesn’t stem from having all the answers, but in cherishing the questions. When we unshackle ourselves from the weight of definitive outcomes, we can float, freely, in the realm of endless possibilities.
Interconnectedness of Being
Seeing others through the lens of compassion and understanding allows us to glimpse their essence, beyond the masks they wear. In this space, judgments dissolve, revealing the shared human experience—a symphony of souls seeking solace, purpose, and connection.
We are Space Monkey.
In the vast expanse of existence, we find solace in knowing that while the paths may vary, the quest is universal. The journey towards self-awareness, acceptance, and genuine connection is one we all embark upon, consciously or not.
“The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next.” – Ursula K. Le Guin
In the garden of thoughts, where perceptions weave,
Dancing shadows of joy, sorrow, and reprieve.
Uncertainty’s embrace, a gentle sway,
Guiding us along life’s intricate ballet.
Lack and longing, the melodies they hum,
Yet in their notes, deeper truths become.
For in the dance of ebb and flow,
Lie secrets only the heart can truly know.
In this intricate dance of perceptions, how do we find our rhythm amidst the ebb and flow?
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