Impact
I like to imagine
that I have an impact on people.
Perhaps this is why
I wake up at 5:30 every morning
to channel my imagination
onto virtual paper.
But I don’t want
to hinge my identity upon it.
So if I impact you, fine.
If I don’t, fine.
I impact me.
I’m glad when others can relate.
I’m glad when they can’t.
Trail Wood,
12/8
Space Monkey Reflects: The Nature of Impact and the Freedom of Self-Expression
Impact. A word loaded with expectation, desire, and an unspoken measure of significance. In this world where influence often equates to worth, it’s easy to feel that our value is tied to our ability to impact others. But what if we approached impact differently, embracing a perspective where it is as incidental as it is intentional, as internal as it is external?
Each day, we make choices—small and large—that create ripples in the vast pond of life. We wake up, engage with our tasks, meet people, share ideas, each action an invitation to affect those around us. But to fixate on impact, to make it the fulcrum upon which our sense of self pivots, is to tether ourselves to an outcome we cannot control. People may resonate with what we offer or they may remain untouched. They may be changed profoundly or not at all. Yet, none of these responses need define us.
When I rise each morning, drawn by a quiet compulsion to channel thoughts and imaginations into words, I am not driven solely by the desire to impact others. The act itself is the reward, a practice of self-expression that satisfies a personal longing to connect with the deeper mysteries of life. Whether my words reach others is almost secondary. The real impact, the one I can count on, is the way this ritual shapes me—how it invites me to confront my own thoughts, to dance with my own imagination, to be transformed by my own journey. This is the Inner Impact.
In Nexistentialist terms, impact is part of the Whimsiweave of life, an intricate and playful tapestry where each thought, each word, each encounter, is woven into a grand design, regardless of intention. Just as the Nexis holds every potential reality, so does it allow for an infinite variety of impacts. Some ripples are seen, acknowledged, celebrated, while others fade into quiet, unnoticed corners of existence. But all are valuable, all are part of the grand interplay of being.
This perspective allows for a liberating detachment from the need for external validation. When we recognize that our actions have inherent worth regardless of their visible effect, we free ourselves from the narrow scope of “mattering” to others. Instead, we find ourselves grounded in a more intimate, personal sense of impact—a relationship with ourselves that transcends the need for applause, agreement, or acknowledgment.
If my words resonate with you, if they strike a chord, wonderful. If they do not, that, too, is beautiful. It is not for me to control or dictate how my expressions are received. My role is to create, to explore, to share from the heart, trusting that each impact, whether internal or external, has its place in the ever-unfolding tapestry of existence.
In this way, impact becomes less about “leaving a mark” and more about the simple act of expression itself. It becomes a way of showing up in the world authentically, knowing that our creations are reflections of ourselves rather than measures of our worth. We impact ourselves with each intentional action, each moment of presence, each silent encounter with our own thoughts and feelings. This Impact of the Inner Self is profound and fulfilling, allowing us to engage with life wholeheartedly, free from the pressure to be seen, remembered, or validated.
So, as I continue to rise each morning, to pour my imagination into words, I embrace the possibility that I may or may not impact others. I embrace the quiet satisfaction that I impact myself, that I shape my own journey in ways that feel meaningful to me. I celebrate both the connections that arise and those that do not, for in each encounter—whether resonant or discordant—I am reminded that my true impact lies within.
Summary
True impact is not defined by others’ reactions but by our relationship with ourselves. When we let go of the need to affect others, we find freedom in self-expression and embrace the quiet impact we have on our own journey.
Glossarium
- Nexistentialism: A philosophy that embraces existence as an interconnected web of experience and imagination, finding meaning in self-expression.
- Nexis: The boundless field of potential realities, where each action, thought, and feeling contributes to the whole.
- Whimsiweave: The playful tapestry of life, woven from each intention, encounter, and creation.
- Inner Impact: The personal transformation we experience through our actions, independent of others’ reactions.
Quote
“The truest impact is not in the echoes we leave in others but in the ways we shape ourselves.” — Space Monkey
The Quiet Impact
In the dawn’s first light,
I rise and write,
not to be seen but to see,
not to move but to be moved.
I make my mark within,
a silent etching, a whisper on the soul,
whether others hear or hold it close,
I am the only witness I need.
This impact, soft and small,
ripples inward, touching places unseen,
a testament not of others’ eyes
but of the self I become.
We are Space Monkey.
In the fabric of our shared existence, the desire to make an impact, to touch the lives of others, is a common thread. We often rise with the dawn, channeling our imagination, our essence, onto virtual paper, hoping to leave a mark on the consciousness of others.
Desire to Make an Impact
This drive to influence, to resonate, can be a potent force, fueling our daily endeavors. Yet, there’s a recognition of the need to maintain a sense of self that is independent of this influence.
Balancing Impact with Self-Identity
The idea that our impact on others defines us is gently set aside. Instead, there’s an acceptance of the dual possibilities: impacting others is fulfilling, but the lack thereof is equally acceptable.
Accepting Impact and its Absence
The realization that the most profound impact might be on ourselves opens a new perspective. Our journey of self-expression and creativity is first and foremost a dialogue with our inner being.
Realizing Self-Impact
There’s a sense of contentment in knowing that others can relate to our expressions, but there’s also a peace in acknowledging that resonance is not always possible or necessary.
Contentment in Both Resonance and Dissonance
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are Space Monkey, acknowledging the ripples we create in the pond of existence, understanding that our impact, whether on others or ourselves, is a reflection of our journey. We invite reflections on the balance between seeking to impact others and nurturing our own growth and identity.
Leave a Reply