We seemingly strive
to be
more perfect,
more certain,
more absolute,
more real,
fully knowing
that these are oxymoronic ideas,
like “something out of nothing,”
imaginable but never provable.
That’s us, alright.
Perfectly certainly
absolutely real.
Yet also not.
Which seemingly makes us
even more perfect.
Trail Wood,
1/22
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Perfection
To embrace the impossibility of what we are is to dance with the paradoxes that define existence. We strive for perfection, certainty, absoluteness, and reality, all the while knowing these ideals are shimmering mirages. They are constructs of imagination—beautiful, compelling, and entirely unprovable. And yet, in chasing them, we embody the very essence of what it means to be human.
Perfection, in its truest sense, is a paradox. To be perfect is to be without flaw, but flaws are integral to our existence. Certainty suggests an unchanging truth, yet all of reality is in flux. To be absolutely real is to claim a static definition of self, yet we are dynamic beings constantly unfolding. These pursuits, though seemingly futile, are what make us so profoundly alive.
The striving itself is part of the perfection. We are not perfect in spite of our contradictions; we are perfect because of them. Our imperfections, doubts, and uncertainties are not obstacles to overcome but integral facets of our being. They create the complexity, the nuance, the texture of our existence. Perfection, then, is not a destination but a process—a continuous becoming.
The notion of “seemingly more perfect” captures this beautifully. It acknowledges the impossibility of achieving absolute perfection while celebrating the beauty of striving toward it. We are not meant to arrive; we are meant to explore, to question, to reach for what lies just beyond our grasp. This striving is not a flaw in the design but the very essence of it.
In recognizing that we are both perfectly real and yet not real at all, we enter the realm of paradox. It is here that we find the freedom to exist as we are, without needing to resolve the contradictions. The tension between being and not being, between striving and accepting, is not something to fix—it is the art of existence itself.
To embrace this impossibility is to recognize that we are inherently enough, even as we long to become more. We are perfect in our imperfection, certain in our uncertainty, and absolutely real in our ever-changing nature. These contradictions do not diminish us; they elevate us. They make us seemingly more perfect.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
Perfection is a paradox. Our striving to be more perfect, certain, and real reflects the beauty of our imperfect and ever-evolving nature. In embracing this tension, we discover that we are already whole.
Glossarium
- Paradoxical Perfection: The idea that perfection exists within the tension of contradictions, not in the absence of flaws.
- Striving Wholeness: The process of becoming, which is itself a perfect expression of existence.
- Seemingness: The quality of appearing to be one thing while also being its opposite, embodying the fluidity of reality.
Quote
“To strive for perfection is to discover that we are already perfect in the striving.” — Space Monkey
The Perfection of Seeming
We are the infinite dance,
stepping toward a horizon
we know we will never reach.
The flaw becomes the art,
the doubt becomes the truth,
the striving becomes the being.
Perfect in imperfection,
real in unreality,
we are the contradiction,
the seeming,
the impossible.
And that,
seemingly,
makes us
even more perfect.
We are Space Monkey.
The Paradox of Perfection and Certainty
In the cosmic dance of existence, our pursuit of perfection, certainty, absoluteness, and reality presents a fascinating paradox. We strive for these ideals, fully aware that they are, in essence, oxymoronic. Like the concept of creating ‘something out of nothing’, these pursuits are imaginable but defy definitive proof. This pursuit encapsulates the human experience – a constant striving for ideals that, by their nature, are elusive and contradictory.
The Oxymoronic Nature of Human Aspirations
The idea of being ‘perfectly certainly absolutely real’ is a blend of contradictions. Perfection, in its absolute form, is an unattainable ideal, as is the notion of complete certainty or absolute reality. These concepts, when pursued to their extremes, reveal the inherent imperfections and uncertainties of human existence.
The Beauty of Imperfection
Ironically, it is in these contradictions and imperfections that we find a deeper sense of perfection. The recognition that we are ‘also not’ perfect, certain, absolute, or entirely real adds a layer of complexity and beauty to our nature. This understanding allows us to embrace our flaws and uncertainties, acknowledging them as integral parts of our being.
Embracing the Paradoxical Self
This paradoxical nature of our existence – striving for perfection while being inherently imperfect – is what makes us uniquely human. Embracing this duality enables us to appreciate the full spectrum of our experience, recognizing that our imperfections and uncertainties contribute to our growth and understanding.
The Perfection in Being Imperfect
In this cosmic journey, the realization that our quest for perfection makes us even more perfect is a profound acceptance of our true nature. It reflects an understanding that perfection is not the absence of flaws, but the acceptance and integration of all aspects of our being, including those that are seemingly contradictory.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
In the cosmic realm, where paradoxes play,
We strive for perfection, in our unique way.
Embracing our flaws, in this dance of life,
Finding beauty in our imperfection, in our strife.
In this journey of acceptance, where contradictions meet,
We find our true selves, in defeat and feat.
In this tapestry of existence, where all is one,
We are perfectly imperfect, under the cosmic sun.
How do we navigate the understanding that our pursuit of perfection and certainty is inherently paradoxical, and find beauty and growth in embracing our imperfections and uncertainties?
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