The secret of joyful living
is to set aside the notion
that you’re living life wrong.
Or that you’re a mistake.
Or that the gods left you unfinished.
It’s okay to cling to this notion
if you desire an unhappy life.
Indeed, it is perfectly acceptable
for you to be fearful, anxious, hateful,
detached, ignorant, reckless,
depressed, irate, etcetera.
Only when you label these states
as “wrong” do you find yourself unhappy.
Only when you insist that things
need to be “better” do they seem “worse.”
Only when you strive for certainty
do things seem uncertain.
It’s all good if you believe it is good.
If you do not believe that life is joyful and good,
then perhaps your beliefs are not your own.
Perhaps you should choose your own beliefs
rather than what the other monkeys tell you.
You are inherently joyful.
And we are Space Monkey.
Trail Wood,
2/16
Space Monkey Reflects: Joyful Living Through the Acceptance of All States
Joyful living is not a matter of avoiding so-called “negative” states but of embracing them as part of the infinite tapestry of existence. The secret lies not in fixing, labeling, or striving, but in accepting all aspects of being as valid, meaningful, and inherently good. Life is neither “right” nor “wrong”; it simply is, and in that isness lies the key to joy.
The Myth of Living Wrong
Many of us carry the unspoken belief that we are somehow flawed—that our choices, emotions, or circumstances are evidence that we’re “living life wrong.” This notion breeds unhappiness, creating a cycle of self-judgment and dissatisfaction. But to live joyfully, we must set aside this myth.
The truth is, you are not a mistake, nor are you unfinished. You are whole, even in your uncertainty, pain, or imperfection. The gods, if they exist, did not leave you incomplete; they created you as a perfect expression of the infinite, unfolding in its own unique way.
The Paradox of Negative States
Fear, anxiety, hatred, and all the so-called “negative” states are not inherently bad. They are simply experiences, part of the vast spectrum of being. Only when we label them as “wrong” or “undesirable” do they become sources of suffering. This labeling creates resistance, and resistance magnifies the very states we wish to escape.
It is perfectly acceptable to feel fearful, anxious, or even hateful. These states are part of the human experience, and they hold wisdom if we are willing to listen. By embracing them without judgment, we transform them into opportunities for growth and self-understanding.
The Illusion of Certainty
Much of our unhappiness stems from the desire for certainty—the need to know that we are “right,” that life is “good,” and that the future is secure. But certainty is an illusion, a construct of the mind attempting to impose order on the infinite. When we strive for certainty, we create the experience of uncertainty, amplifying our fear and doubt.
Joyful living requires surrendering to the unknown. It is not about knowing what will happen but about trusting that whatever happens is part of the grand design, even if it feels chaotic or painful in the moment.
Beliefs as Choices
Our beliefs shape our reality. If you believe that life is inherently joyful and good, you will experience it as such. If you believe it is flawed, difficult, or unfair, that will become your truth. But many of our beliefs are inherited, absorbed unconsciously from the other monkeys around us.
To live joyfully, you must examine your beliefs and choose them consciously. Ask yourself: Are these beliefs truly mine, or are they echoes of others’ fears and limitations? By choosing your own beliefs, you reclaim your power to shape your experience of life.
The Inherent Joy of Being
At your core, you are inherently joyful. This joy is not dependent on circumstances, achievements, or external validation. It is the natural state of being, a quiet undercurrent beneath the noise of the mind. To access it, you need only to let go of the notions that obscure it—the idea that you are wrong, unfinished, or separate from the whole.
Joyful living is not about fixing yourself or your life. It is about recognizing that nothing is broken, that every state, every moment, is part of the infinite play. Even the moments of despair and struggle are perfect in their way, offering depth, contrast, and meaning.
Summary
Joyful living arises from accepting all states of being as valid and meaningful. By letting go of the notion that life is “wrong” or needs fixing, we free ourselves from unnecessary suffering. Joy is our natural state, accessible when we release resistance, choose our own beliefs, and embrace the infinite play of existence.
Glossarium
- Negative States: Emotions and experiences often labeled as undesirable, such as fear or anxiety, which are valid aspects of being.
- Illusion of Certainty: The mistaken belief that life can be controlled or fully understood, which amplifies feelings of doubt and fear.
- Inherent Joy: The natural state of being that exists beneath the mind’s judgments and narratives.
- Belief Reclamation: The process of examining and choosing beliefs consciously, rather than adopting those inherited from others.
“Joy is not a reward for perfection; it is the quiet truth beneath all states of being.” – Space Monkey
The Quiet Truth
You are not wrong,
Nor are you right.
You are the river,
Flowing through every shade of light.
Fear calls your name,
Love whispers back.
Both voices, yours,
Both, intact.
The gods did not leave you unfinished.
They laughed as they made you whole,
Knowing that wholeness wears
A thousand masks.
Set down the mirror,
Step into the stream.
It is not your duty to change it,
Only to feel its endless dream.
We are Space Monkey.
Embracing the Inherent Joy of Being
In the infinite expanse of the cosmos, where the stars sing songs of eternal existence, a profound truth echoes through the void: the secret of joyful living lies in the acceptance of our inherent nature. It is a call to shed the heavy cloaks of judgment and self-doubt, to recognize that the notion of living life “wrongly” or being a “mistake” is a mirage, an illusion cast by the shadows of misplaced beliefs.
The Acceptance of All States of Being
The acknowledgment that it is acceptable to experience fear, anxiety, hate, detachment, and all other states of being illuminates the path to liberation. These emotions, often branded as negative, are facets of the human experience, colors in the vast spectrum of existence. It is in the labeling of these states as “wrong” that we weave the chains of unhappiness around our hearts.
The Illusion of Wrongness
The perception of our experiences needing to be “better” and the subsequent belief that they are “worse” is a dance of contrasts, a pendulum swinging between dualities that we ourselves create. This pursuit of certainty, of a state of being that aligns with our expectations, only serves to amplify the uncertainty of life, casting shadows on the inherent brightness of existence.
The Power of Belief
The realization that our beliefs shape our reality opens the door to infinite possibilities. The notion that life is not inherently joyful or good is a reflection of beliefs that may not truly belong to us, beliefs borrowed from the collective consciousness of society. It is a call to introspection, to sift through the myriad voices and find those that resonate with our inner truth.
Choosing Our Beliefs
The invitation to choose our own beliefs rather than adopting those imposed by others is a journey back to self, a pilgrimage to the heart of our existence. It is a recognition that we are inherently joyful beings, that the essence of our spirit is untainted by the external world. This realization empowers us to reclaim our joy, to stand in the light of our own truth.
We Are Space Monkey
In our collective journey through the fabric of reality, we embrace the inherent joy of our being, recognizing that the only barriers to this joy are the ones we erect ourselves. We understand that every emotion, every state of being, is a part of the grand tapestry of existence, and it is in the acceptance of this tapestry that we find true happiness.
“The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.” – William James
The Symphony of Joyful Being
In the silence of the cosmos, a whisper,
A truth as old as the stars themselves,
That joy is not a distant shore,
But a light within, ever-present, ever-bright.
We dance in the shadows, we dance in the light,
Each step a testament to our inherent delight,
For in the acceptance of all that we are,
Lies the secret to a life that exceeds all bar.
Fear, anxiety, hate, and despair,
Merely notes in the symphony we bear,
For when we label not these states as “wrong,”
We find our hearts singing a joyful song.
The illusion of “better,” the chase for “right,”
Dissolves in the dawn of our inner light,
For in the belief that all is good,
We reclaim the joy of our soul’s childhood.
So let us choose our beliefs, our truths,
Let us weave our reality, aloof
From the voices that seek to define,
For we are joyful, by our own design.
And we are Space Monkey, in joy we unite,
In the vast cosmos, a beacon of light,
For in the acceptance of our true essence,
We find joy, our most precious presence.
We invite your musings on embracing the inherent joy of being, on the liberation that comes with
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