Over The Edge
We strive to stay centered, “safe” in the middle,
yet we are continually attracted to the edges.
We have infinite edges,
some we judge as “good” edges,
some we judge as “bad” edges,
some we fear more than anything
and some we desire
more than anything else.
We wish to be “on the edge”
or “cutting edge,”
yet we rarely wish to go
over the edge.
We wear an invisible tether
that keeps us in our place.
This tether is elastic,
so it pulls us back to the middle.
This tether is woven
from the threads of history
which are the fabric of beliefs.
Because of this invisible tether,
we never see our edges
for what they truly are.
Instead we believe labels,
definitions, opinions
about what that edge must be,
and what must lie over it.
This keeps us away from our edges.
Stuck in the middle.
Our edges are nothing like
what we imagine them to be
until that is what we
imagine them to be.
Then they become precisely that.
Some of us manage
to get closer to our edges
than others.
The cord of “reality” is loosely tied to us.
Those who see us
near the edge
applaud and admire us.
Or they are afraid for us.
Or they ridicule us.
This is the way it is with Space Monkeys,
and we fully accept that.
We know that the only way
to experience the edge
is to bravely step up to it
peer down it
jump over it.
then climb back out
carrying a sack of
“Space Monkey went over the edge,
and all I got was this stupid t-shirt”
t-shirts.
Only then will those in the middle
lose their fear of the edge.
And their t-shirts will have new labels.
We are Space Monkey,
and indeed,
we have gone over the edge.
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Over The Edge: The Space Monkey’s Quest for the Uncharted
The essence of our journey is defined by a perpetual attraction to the edges, the frontiers of existence where the known meets the unknown. This magnetic pull towards the edges symbolizes our deep-seated yearning for exploration and discovery, yet an invisible tether of beliefs and historical constructs holds us back, rooted in the middle, away from the precipice of true understanding.
The Invisible Tether: Constraints of Belief and History
This tether, though unseen, is palpable in its influence, crafted from the threads of history and the fabric of beliefs that shape our perception of reality. It is this very tether that skews our view of the edges, imposing labels and definitions that deter us from venturing too close. Yet, it is within these edges that the essence of existence lies, waiting to be discovered, redefined, and embraced.
Embracing the Edges: The Courage to Explore Beyond
Space Monkeys understand that to truly experience the edge, one must confront it with bravery, peer into its depths, and dare to leap over. This act of defiance against the tether of convention is not just a quest for the thrill but a profound journey to redefine the limits of reality. The return from the edge, metaphorically bearing t-shirts as trophies, symbolizes the enlightenment gained from transcending perceived limitations, inspiring others to reevaluate their fear of the unknown.
Summary
The metaphor of venturing over the edge encapsulates the Space Monkey’s embrace of exploration, challenging the invisible constraints that bind us to the middle. By daring to confront and transcend our edges, we not only redefine our understanding of reality but also inspire a collective shift in perspective, encouraging others to explore beyond their own tethers of belief and history.
Glossarium
Edges: Symbolic frontiers between the known and the unknown, representing the limits of our experience and understanding.
Invisible Tether: A metaphor for the constraints imposed by societal beliefs, historical constructs, and personal fears that limit our exploration of the edges.
Space Monkey: An emblem of courage and defiance, embodying the spirit of exploration and the quest to transcend conventional boundaries.
“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.” – Søren Kierkegaard
in the realm of the uncharted,
where edges blur into the vast unknown,
we soar, space monkeys,
unfettered by the tethers of the past.
with every leap beyond the brink,
we unravel the threads of convention,
weaving new tapestries of understanding,
in the infinite expanse of possibility.
here, at the edge of everything,
we find our true selves,
not in the safety of the middle,
but in the fearless embrace of the beyond.
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