we question whether it’s true or NOT.
Look at your thoughts.
It’s okay to have them.
Without your thoughts,
you would NOT have an identity
as this human with thoughts.
What are your thoughts saying?
If you’re like most humans,
the majority of your thoughts
revolve around what you are NOT
versus what you are.
They may say you are NOT:
as young as you wish to be,
as healthy as you wish to be,
as talented as you wish to be,
as motivated as you wish to be,
as attractive as you wish to be,
as comfortable as you wish to be.
Notice how the vast majority of your thoughts
are cast in the light of what you are NOT.
There is NOThing wrong with this.
This is how you create your identity as a human.
In actuality, you are EVERYTHING,
so without your thoughts of NOT EVERYTHING,
you would NOT seem to be tiny and insignificant.
You ENJOY seeming tiny and insignificant,
so you LOVE thinking about what you are NOT.
Trail Wood,
12/4
Space Monkey Reflects: Shaping Identity Through What We Are Not
Our identities are crafted in the gaps between what we believe ourselves to be and what we perceive ourselves not to be. We spend vast amounts of time contemplating what we lack, what we do not embody, or what we feel we could never achieve. It’s as though, in defining ourselves, we turn to the reflections of absence, the “not” thoughts that echo through our minds, shaping the contours of our identity by contrast.
These thoughts, often dismissed as self-critical or limiting, are foundational in how we understand ourselves. When we consider “I am not young” or “I am not successful,” we are reaching for something beyond ourselves, a reflection of the infinite potential we know is within us but that we feel, in the moment, is unattainable. The self, in its human form, enjoys this dance of contrast, reveling in the seeming smallness of individual experience precisely because it feels so distinct and defined.
Strangely enough, we might say that humanity’s fascination with what we are not stems from a deep, hidden joy. By focusing on what we lack or could improve upon, we create a space within ourselves that invites growth, exploration, and the potential for transformation. The self, as we experience it, doesn’t fully reside in a fixed state of being; it thrives on the desire to bridge these perceived gaps, even if it never actually closes them.
This interplay between what we are and what we are not is, in fact, how we give shape to a world that would otherwise seem boundless. In the grand scope of existence, we are truly everything—each of us a complete expression of the universe. Yet, without the “not,” without the boundaries imposed by the mind’s self-definitions, this vastness would be overwhelming. To feel ourselves as individual humans, we entertain this “not” narrative, creating a canvas of contrasts that make our lives feel unique, distinct, and, yes, limited.
This understanding softens our relationship with self-doubt or perceived lack. Rather than viewing thoughts about what we are not as detrimental, we begin to see them as essential tools. Each “I am not” is a brushstroke painting the self in dimensions and colors that would not exist otherwise. In this way, the “not” becomes a form of self-creation, a vital aspect of how we experience reality from a human perspective.
In acknowledging this, we find a strange liberation. Rather than resisting these thoughts, we can embrace them as integral parts of our journey. We are free to explore both the light and the shadow, recognizing that our perceived limitations are just one way of playing with the infinite possibilities within us. We are not trapped by the “not”; we are shaped by it, expanding into new forms of self-awareness with every contrast we perceive.
So, let us accept the “not” as a playful element of existence. Each time we feel limited or lacking, we can smile, knowing that these thoughts are but waves on the surface of a much deeper self. In seeing ourselves as small and finite, we paradoxically connect to the boundless, knowing that this smallness, this feeling of “not enough,” is simply a way for us to experience the joy of unfolding, moment by moment.
Summary
Our identities are shaped by what we are not, allowing us to experience the contrast between our limited self-perception and our boundless potential. Embracing the “not” as part of self-creation, we find freedom in our perceived limitations.
Glossarium
Notself: The facets of identity shaped by what we believe we are not, creating boundaries that give form to the self.
Infiniyawn: The playful fascination we have with feeling small or limited, allowing us to explore infinite potential in human form.
Quote
“To know oneself as ‘not’ is to trace the outline of all one can become.” — Space Monkey
Defining By Absence
In the spaces of “not,”
we paint our shape,
a shadowed self drawn
in edges and lacks.
Not young, not whole,
not bright as we’d wish,
yet in these gaps,
a quiet joy lies.
Through each absence,
we find a way to be,
the small, the limited,
mirroring infinity.
In knowing what we’re not,
we glimpse what we are,
boundless and free,
caught in a star’s brief spark.
We are Space Monkey.
Your whimsical reflection takes us deep into the labyrinth of human thought and the dance between identity and perception. It’s as if we are peering into the intricate tapestry of the mind, exploring the interplay between what we are and what we are not. Let’s unravel the layers of your contemplation.
The Landscape of Thoughts
Your words remind us of the constant stream of thoughts that shape our perception of self and reality. Thoughts are an integral part of our identity as human beings, defining us by what we are and what we are not.
The Pervasiveness of “Not”
The observation that the majority of thoughts revolve around what we are NOT is both insightful and thought-provoking. It highlights a common human tendency to focus on perceived shortcomings and desires for improvement, framing our identity in the negative.
The Creation of Identity
Your reflection acknowledges that this interplay between what we are and what we are not is essential for creating our identity as humans. It’s a reminder that our sense of self is intricately tied to the contrast between our desires and our current state.
The Paradox of Everything and Nothing
The notion that, in actuality, we are EVERYTHING, and without thoughts of NOT EVERYTHING, we would seem tiny and insignificant introduces a profound paradox. It suggests that our fixation on what we are NOT serves a purpose in our enjoyment of the human experience.
“In the grand cosmic play, we embrace the dance between what we are and what we are not, finding joy in the interplay of thoughts and identity.”
In the spirit of your contemplation, dear reader, we invite you to share your thoughts on the interplay between what you are and what you are not. Have you observed the prevalence of thoughts about what you are NOT in your own life? How do you navigate the complexities of self-perception and identity? Let the cosmic conversation continue as we explore the depths of human consciousness and self-discovery.
Leave a Reply