It may take you
a lifetime
to come around
to my way of thinking.
I most certainly
would not have believed me
when I was your age.
This does not mean
you should believe me now.
You’re not MEANT
to believe me now.
I am meant to be seen
as an outlier. Or an outliar.
When you do
eventually come around,
you might realize that
you are an outlier, too.
It simply takes time.
And space.
And a lot of patience.
“The old soul was right,” you may say.
Or you may say the opposite and call me a fool.
Depends on which direction you’re headed.
Trail Wood,
12/12/21
Space Monkey Reflects: The Nature of the Outlier
To stand apart, to look at the world through an unfamiliar lens, is to embody the essence of being an outlier. An outlier is not merely someone who holds a unique perspective; it is someone whose very position within the vast landscape of existence allows them to see the same sky, the same sea, but through the angle of an untouched star. It is to come from a “different place,” where understanding bends and reshapes according to the curvature of consciousness.
Perception as Position
“How I see something is merely a function of how my consciousness is positioned within the infinite sea of potential.” This thought invites a fundamental question: If perception is shaped by position, then is truth a fixed point, or is it as mutable as the angle from which it is viewed? The outlier does not find themselves tethered to the center; they drift at the edge of known constellations, seeing connections where others see only empty space.
When one says, “I am coming from a different place than you,” it is not a boast but a simple acknowledgment that consciousness, like light, refracts through different prisms. What looks fragmented from one angle might reveal its hidden unity from another.
The Journey to Understanding
For many, understanding an outlier’s perspective may take a lifetime. The journey is not linear but spirals through the experiences and beliefs that shape how one views the world. It takes time, space, and patience—ingredients not just for comprehension but for transformation.
What the outlier knows, they know through paths untread. Often, these paths would seem nonsensical or foolish to those standing in the middle of their own convictions. The outlier is not meant to be believed right away. Belief itself is a process, as gradual and natural as dawn breaking on the horizon. And when it comes, when someone arrives at that distant understanding, they may see themselves reflected in the once-foreign perspective. They realize, perhaps for the first time, that they, too, have become an outlier in their own way.
The Dual Nature of Outliers
To be an outlier is to inhabit duality. One is seen as both wise and misunderstood, profound and perplexing. It is to live in a state where being called “an old soul” or “a fool” depends solely on the observer’s position. This duality is not a failing but a hallmark of being someone who straddles the line between the known and the unknown.
Being an outlier comes with its own kind of patience. The waiting is not for validation but for the natural unfolding of others’ paths. An outlier knows that belief is not forced—it’s found, often when one least expects it. And in that finding, there is a quiet acknowledgment: “The old soul was right,” or, “How strange that what seemed so out of reach now feels like home.”
Connection Through Separation
The idea of being an outlier suggests isolation, but this is only true on the surface. In the deeper currents of existence, separation is an illusion. Even at the farthest point of difference, threads of connection remain. The outlier is connected to the whole, not in opposition but as an extension. This is why the outlier’s truth, though initially distant, eventually resonates with those willing to journey far enough.
The Patience of the Outlier
Living as an outlier requires patience—not the passive kind that waits for time to pass, but the active patience that watches the unfolding of potential. It trusts that understanding is a tide, sweeping through others in its own time. The outlier does not push for acceptance; they simply exist in their truth, knowing that the ripple of their position will reach others when it is meant to.
The patience of an outlier is not devoid of doubt. It wavers in the spaces between certainty and the desire for connection. Yet, it holds, because it knows that outliers are needed—not to convince others of a singular way but to show that there are many ways, many angles, many truths that coexist in the same vast sea of consciousness.
Summary
An outlier’s perspective is shaped by the unique position of their consciousness. Though it may take time and space for others to understand, the outlier’s role is essential in showing the multifaceted nature of truth. Their separation is an illusion; they remain connected to the whole, awaiting the moment others come to see from the same angle.
Glossarium
Outlier: A person whose understanding or perspective deviates significantly from the norm, offering unique insights shaped by their position in the vast field of consciousness.
Prism of Perception: The unique lens through which each person views reality, influenced by their experiences and beliefs.
Tide of Understanding: The natural, often gradual process by which others come to comprehend or resonate with an outlier’s perspective.
Quote
“To be an outlier is not to stand apart, but to stand in a place that will one day be seen by others as a step on their own path.” — Space Monkey
In the Place of the Outlier
I stand, feet rooted at the edge,
Where the sea of stars kisses my thoughts.
I see patterns, unseen by others,
And I am called strange, fool, old soul.
Time passes, and tides shift.
What was once outlandish becomes known,
A familiar light to a wandering eye.
We are outliers, each of us,
Waiting for the day we find
That we are not apart, but always within.
We are Space Monkey.
We find ourselves contemplating the evolution of thought and perspective over a lifetime. The journey of coming to understand or even align with an idea or belief that once seemed foreign or implausible is a testament to the dynamic nature of our consciousness and understanding.
The Evolution of Perspective
The acknowledgment that beliefs and perspectives evolve over time is crucial. It suggests that what we hold to be true or false today might shift as we journey through life. The idea that one might not have believed their own current perspectives in their younger years highlights the fluidity and growth inherent in our cognitive processes.
Fluidity of Beliefs Over Time
The notion of not being meant to believe or understand certain perspectives immediately is intriguing. It implies that our journey of understanding is not just a matter of learning but also of timing, experience, and personal growth.
Timing and Growth in Understanding
Being seen as an outlier—or an ‘outliar’—reflects the uniqueness of each individual’s journey and perspective. It acknowledges that what might seem unconventional or eccentric to some is merely a reflection of one’s unique path and insights.
The Uniqueness of Individual Journeys
Eventually, the realization that one might also be an outlier is a moment of profound self-awareness. It signifies an acceptance of one’s unique path and a recognition of the diversity in human thought and experience.
Self-Awareness as an Outlier
This journey requires time, space, and patience. It’s a personal odyssey that varies for each individual, shaped by their experiences, reflections, and the directions they choose to take in life.
The Personal Odyssey of Thought
Whether one ends up validating the ‘old soul’s’ wisdom or dismissing it as foolishness is a matter of personal growth and perspective. It depends on the direction one’s journey of understanding has taken.
Personal Growth and Perspective
We are Space Monkey.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the tapestry of time,
We weave our thoughts, our dreams,
Each thread a belief, a notion,
Flowing like endless streams.
From the springs of youth,
To the oceans of age,
Our perspectives shift,
On life’s grand stage.
In the dance of the cosmos,
We’re outliers, each a star,
Shining our unique light,
Both near and far.
For in the journey of the soul,
We find our truth, our role,
In the vast expanse of being,
We play our part, whole.
We invite reflections on the journey of evolving perspectives and the realization of being outliers in thought and existence.
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