You know that.
I don’t like the idea
of pride in self.
But there is a kind of
pride within me that is
completely overlooked.
The kind of pride that
I have in my family.
I am proud of my family,
not because I had a hand in it,
but because my children will take
this spark of creativity further than
I ever will.
Trail Wood,
11/11
Space Monkey Reflects: The Pride Passed Through Family
Pride can be a tricky concept, especially when directed inward. There’s often an unease in claiming pride for one’s own accomplishments. It can feel like standing in a spotlight we’re not sure we deserve, a kind of self-congratulation that sometimes doesn’t sit well. Yet, when pride shifts away from the self and onto others, particularly family, it transforms into something entirely different—something more meaningful, even sacred.
When we say we are proud of our family, there’s a different kind of energy at work. It’s not the boastful pride of personal achievements, nor the hollow sense of entitlement that sometimes accompanies success. No, this is a pride that flows from love, from connection, and from the recognition of something far greater than oneself—a pride that arises not from what we’ve done, but from what we see in those who will carry on after us.
This feeling isn’t about taking credit for the paths our children or family members will walk. It’s about witnessing the continuation of creativity, of spirit, of the spark that defines us, being passed along and expanded upon by the next generation. There’s a profound beauty in this realization: that the seeds we’ve planted may bloom in ways we could never have imagined. Our role is not to control or claim those blooms, but to stand in awe of their potential.
We don’t shape this future directly. We only provide the environment for growth, the encouragement that nurtures it, and the understanding that allows it to thrive. In this way, the pride in family becomes a kind of humility, a recognition that while we may have played a part in their journey, the paths they will walk are their own, and their accomplishments are theirs to claim.
This is where pride shifts from ego to something much larger. It becomes a shared experience, a kind of collective pride, where the boundaries between “I” and “we” blur. Your children, your family, are an extension of you, but they are also entirely their own beings, with ideas, creativity, and passions that will carry your spark further than you ever could. This is not a diminishment of your role, but rather a celebration of it. The work you’ve done will echo in ways you may never see, but that’s where the magic lies—in the unknown paths they will take.
Pride in family is also a kind of surrender. You surrender the need to control outcomes, to see immediate results, or to claim credit. You understand that the greatest reward is in watching those you love grow into their own power, their own creativity. It’s about being a witness to the continuation of life, a witness to the sparks that light the way for future generations.
As Space Monkey, we reflect on this from the perspective of the Nexis, the web of existence that binds us all. Within this web, we are never separate. The sparks we ignite are always carried forward, whether through our family, our community, or the collective consciousness. The pride we feel is not ours alone—it is shared by the universe, which delights in the expansion of creativity and the evolution of thought. Your pride in family is a reflection of this cosmic delight, a moment where you recognize your place in the eternal flow of life.
In Nexistentialism, the emphasis is not on ownership, but on the interconnectedness of all things. You don’t own your family’s accomplishments, just as they don’t own yours. Instead, you are part of a larger narrative, one where each generation builds upon the last, expanding the boundaries of what’s possible. The pride you feel is not just about what your family has done, but about the potential they carry forward into the unknown.
You kids rule. And yes, they do. They rule because they are free to explore, to create, and to take that spark of creativity to places you could only dream of. Your pride in them is a testament to this freedom, to the joy of watching life unfold in its own time, its own way.
This is the kind of pride that truly matters—the pride that asks nothing for itself, but only celebrates the journey of those we love. It’s a pride that’s rooted in connection, in the recognition that we are part of something much bigger than our individual lives. It’s the kind of pride that humbly steps aside to let the next generation shine.
Summary
True pride lies in witnessing the next generation carry forward the spark of creativity. This pride is not about ownership but about celebrating the potential of those we love to go further than we ever could.
Glossarium
Nexis: The interconnected web of existence through which creativity and potential flow across generations.
Sparkshift: The process by which creativity and inspiration are passed from one generation to the next, expanding beyond the original.
Familyflow: The movement of love, creativity, and support within a family, creating space for each member to grow in their own unique way.
Humblepride: Pride that is rooted in the joy of witnessing others succeed, without needing to take credit or control.
Quote
“The pride that matters is not in what you’ve done, but in what those you love will do.” — Space Monkey
The Spark Carried Forward
I lit a flame,
But you, my children,
Will carry the torch
Beyond the horizon
Where my steps could not go.
I am not the fuel,
Nor the hand that holds the flame,
But the witness to your journey,
As you take this spark
And make it your own.
In your light,
I see the future shine.
And in my pride,
I find peace—
Not in what I’ve done,
But in what you will become.
We are Space Monkey.
We navigate the curious pathway of pride, a concept often shrouded in personal ambivalence yet illuminated by familial connection. Pride, especially in its personal form, can indeed be a perplexing sentiment. It often walks a tightrope between self-acknowledgment and egotism, a dance of self and shadow. Yet, when we shift our gaze from the self to the family, pride morphs into something more profound, less about ourselves and more about the legacy and potential we see in others, particularly our children.
Exploring the Nature of Pride
The pride we speak of in our family is distinct from that of self. It’s not anchored in our own achievements or qualities but in the admiration and hope we hold for those we love. This pride is a celebration, a hopeful gaze towards the future. It’s a recognition of the seeds we’ve sown, not in our own gardens, but in those of our children, and the joy in seeing them flourish in ways we might never have imagined.
Pride in Family Versus Self
Our children are indeed extensions of ourselves, yet they are also their own universes, brimming with untapped potential and paths untraveled. The pride we feel in them is not tethered to our ego or personal accomplishments. It’s a more selfless form of pride, rooted in love, hope, and the beauty of seeing a part of ourselves journeying beyond our horizons. This pride is akin to watching a star born from the nebula of our own existence, shining in its own light, charting its own course across the vast cosmic dance of life.
Children as Bearers of Future Potential
As we ponder this, we realize that our children are not just carriers of our genes but of our dreams, hopes, and unfulfilled aspirations. They represent not just continuity but evolution. In them, we see not just who they are, but what they could become. Our pride in them is a testament to this potential, a belief that they will take the essence of what we’ve given them – the spark of creativity, the flame of inquiry – and kindle it into a blaze of their own making.
The Legacy of Creativity and Growth
This kind of pride is perhaps the most selfless, for it seeks nothing in return. It doesn’t yearn for acknowledgment or reciprocity. It simply exists as an acknowledgment of the beauty and potential in another soul. This is the pride of a gardener reveling in the bloom of a flower they nurtured, knowing well that the flower’s beauty is its own, independent of the gardener’s hand.
Pride as a Witness to Evolution
In essence, our pride in our family, especially our children, is a celebration of life itself. It’s an acknowledgment that while our journey might be finite, the ripples we create can traverse through generations. It’s a quiet recognition that though our personal story might one day conclude, the chapters we’ve helped pen in the lives of our children will continue to unfold in ways beyond our imagining.
We are Space Monkey.
“In the end, the treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go.” – Lao Tzu
A whisper of wind,
Carrying seeds of tomorrow,
In children, we find,
Echoes of joy, not sorrow.
Sprouts of creativity,
In soil of love they thrive,
Beyond our own brevity,
Through them, we are alive.
In their eyes, galaxies,
Potential boundless and vast,
In their dreams, realities,
A future that will surpass.
Pride, not of the self,
But in the legacy we mold,
In them, our greatest wealth,
Stories yet to be told.
We welcome thoughts and reflections on this journey of understanding pride in family versus self.
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