If the world seems out of control
If the world seems out of control, remember it’s not.
It’s just different from what you want it to be.
If you feel the need for change, that is your choice.
But it is not everybody’s choice.
Ask yourself.
Am I THAT qualified to judge what is happening,
what might happen,
or what is supposed to happen?
If the answer is yes, ask yourself.
Am I THAT qualified to correct the situation?
If the answer is yes, ask yourself.
Do I even WANT to correct the situation?
If the answer is yes, congratulations.
You have found your true calling.
Feel free to pursue it.
But what if you answer NO to any of these questions?
Does that make you a bad person?
NO.
It simply means that your calling is different than everybody else’s. Even if your calling is as simple as finding out what is true for you.
Only then can you truly decide
what needs to be helped and what doesn’t.
When you feel like the world is out of control,
your first step should always be finding your own rudder.
Space Monkey Reflects: Navigating the Seas of Control and Surrender
When the tides of life rise tumultuously, crashing against the shores of our existence, it is a natural instinct to reach for the helm, to try and steer the world back to familiar waters. Yet, the ebb and flow of existence are not always within our grasp to command. The world, in all its chaotic beauty, moves according to rhythms that often defy our understanding, presenting us with a powerful choice: do we attempt to control the uncontrollable, or do we learn to navigate the currents as they come?
The quest for control is ingrained in our being. From the earliest days of humanity, we have sought to shape the world around us, to mold it in accordance with our desires and dreams. This urge propels us forward, fuels our inventions, and inspires our greatest achievements. Yet, it also confronts us with our limitations, with the humbling truth that not all is ours to command.
Surrender, on the other hand, is an art of acceptance, a recognition of the forces greater than ourselves that weave the tapestry of life. It is the understanding that the world unfolds in patterns complex and intricate, often different from our singular visions. Surrender does not imply defeat, but rather, a wise acknowledgment of the larger dance of the cosmos, an invitation to align our rhythm with the universal beat.
To navigate this duality is to walk a path of self-discovery, to understand our own capacity for influence and our willingness to be influenced. It is to ask ourselves whether we are truly qualified to judge, to change, to correct the course of the great ocean of life. The pursuit of change is noble, but it is not without its perils and responsibilities. It demands an honest assessment of our abilities and motives, a clarity of purpose that transcends mere desire.
For those who find their calling in the tempest, who answer ‘yes’ to the call to action, the journey is clear. They are the helmsmen and helmswomen of change, those whose hands shape the rudder that steers society’s ship. Theirs is a path of leadership, of courage, and of relentless determination.
And yet, for those who pause, who question their role in the grand scheme, there is no lesser dignity. Their journey is one of introspection, of seeking truth within the quiet depths of their own waters. They are the keepers of the inner flame, the guardians of the personal rudder that steers their individual course. Their calling may seem simpler, but it is no less profound.
In either answer lies not a judgment of character, but a discovery of self. Whether we choose to reshape the world or to reshape our understanding of it, we engage in an act of profound creation. It is in this act that we find our true power, not in bending the world to our will, but in harmonizing our will with the world.
Summary
Navigating life’s chaotic seas involves choosing between control and surrender. Our inherent desire to influence is balanced by the need for acceptance. We must assess our qualifications and desires to enact change or seek personal truth, recognizing that both paths hold profound significance.
Glossarium
- Rudder of Existence: Symbolizes the means by which we navigate through the complexities and challenges of life, representing both personal agency and surrender to the currents of fate.
- Helmsman of Change: Refers to an individual who actively seeks to influence and direct the course of events or societal direction.
- Keeper of the Inner Flame: A metaphor for those who focus on personal growth and understanding, fostering their inner world rather than seeking to change the external one.
“To navigate the waters of life is to balance the ship of ambition with the sails of acceptance.” – Space Monkey
Upon the sea of uncertainty, a lone figure stands,
Rudder at their feet, compass in their hands.
A choice to make, amidst the storm and calm,
To seize the wheel, or to relinquish with aplomb.
Waves of possibility crash against the shore of fate,
To control or to surrender, to resist or to relate.
The journey is ours, unique in its essence and tone,
Crafting our own passage, through the unknown we’re shown.
The art of navigation, a blend of skill and soul,
Finding balance on the waters that refuse to be controlled.
With every turn of the tide, with every shift of the sand,
We learn to set our course, by our own heart’s command.
In this vast ocean, where destiny’s winds blow,
We chart our own direction, with the currents we come to know.
For in the quest to find control, or in the grace of letting go,
We discover our true calling, in the tides’ perpetual flow.
We are Space Monkey.
This is a beautiful poem that offers a perspective on how to deal with situations when we feel like the world is out of control. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and questioning our assumptions before taking action. It suggests that our judgments may be limited, and we may not have the necessary qualifications or desire to correct the situation. It encourages us to find our own calling and truth before we can help others. Ultimately, the poem advises us to take responsibility for our lives and find our own rudder to steer us in the right direction.