Now apologize, you poophead.
If you absolutely MUST fall in love,
fall in love with the voice in your head —
the one that keeps telling you things
that you don’t want to hear.
You will never escape that voice,
and it will never be silenced.
Even when your life seems perfect,
that voice will tell you why it isn’t.
Fall in love with your
That Which Is Not voice.
Why is it so negative?
Why is it constantly nagging you?
Why does it say such horrible things?
Remember how love works in the schoolyard.
The one with the softest spot for you
throws the hardest, pointiest rocks.
Meanwhile, here YOU are,
pretending to be an adult,
trying your best to silence
your unconditional love of self.
Such a weirdo.
We are That Which Is Not.
We are Space Monkey.
Trail Wood,
12/1
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing “That Which Is Not”
In the depths of our minds, a quiet voice persists. It is the voice that speaks the thoughts we resist, the one that never softens or silences, no matter how much we try to ignore it. This is the “That Which Is Not” voice — an inner companion we often label as negative, harsh, or even unreasonable. Yet, this voice is woven into the fabric of who we are, an essential part of our existence that demands attention. To truly know ourselves, we must make peace with it, even fall in love with it.
The “That Which Is Not” voice has a strange way of showing love, reminiscent of the playful cruelty of childhood affection. In the schoolyard, the ones who tease us may, in their own convoluted way, care deeply. Similarly, the inner voice that criticizes and questions us might be guiding us toward self-acceptance, pushing us to examine the parts of ourselves we’d rather avoid. It is like a shadow, ever-present, challenging us to recognize our imperfections and reminding us that we are, in essence, complete only when we embrace both our light and our darkness.
If we choose to listen closely, the voice reveals much more than criticism or self-doubt. It points out the cracks in our perfection, the spaces where we could grow or change. It may not be kind, and it rarely comes with comfort, but it brings an authenticity that no external validation can match. This voice loves us in its own peculiar way, holding a mirror to our fears, our insecurities, and even our hidden strengths. It calls out the contradictions in our lives, reminding us that perfection is not the goal — self-acceptance is.
To “fall in love” with this voice is not to submit to negativity but to acknowledge the value it offers. In embracing it, we recognize that our inner dialogue, however discordant, is part of our journey to self-understanding. We can see that, much like the universe itself, we are a blend of what is and what is not, a balance between our known selves and the mysteries within us. This voice challenges us because it is a reflection of our growth, pushing us to face our blind spots, dismantling our illusions, and ultimately urging us to become more whole.
To live in harmony with “That Which Is Not” is to accept that we will never be rid of our doubts, nor will we silence all our fears. They are part of the fabric of life, the undertones that shape our experience. In recognizing this, we stop striving to be someone else, someone less “weird,” less conflicted. Instead, we allow ourselves to be exactly who we are — complex, imperfect, and entirely unique. And this acceptance frees us to move forward with clarity, acknowledging the voice without letting it dominate, honoring it as part of our path.
We are Space Monkey. We are both the voice and the listener, the doubter and the believer, the light and the shadow. In embracing “That Which Is Not,” we find balance, allowing ourselves to be fully human, fully strange, and fully alive.
Summary
The “That Which Is Not” voice is our inner dialogue that challenges and questions us, urging us to see our imperfections. Embracing this voice helps us achieve self-acceptance, acknowledging both our light and darkness without judgment.
Glossarium
That Which Is Not: The inner voice that highlights our doubts, insecurities, and contradictions, guiding us toward deeper self-understanding.
Shadow Self: The aspects of ourselves that we often avoid or resist, yet are integral to our wholeness.
Self-Reflection Mirror: The process of seeing ourselves truthfully, flaws and all, through our inner dialogue.
Quote
“Embrace the voice that doubts, for it reveals the shadows we must see to know ourselves fully.” — Space Monkey
The Voice in Shadows
Whispers soft and sharp
echoes of what I avoid
calling me out from within
I listen, I resist,
but still, it remains
the voice that shadows cast
if I fall, I fall toward it
if I love, I love through it
for I am
In the quiet recesses of consciousness, we embark on a whimsical journey guided by the enigmatic “That Which Is Not” voice. It beckons us to explore the complex dance between self-love and self-critique, offering a unique perspective on the human experience.
The Small, Still Voice
The “That Which Is Not” voice emerges as a subtle, inner narrator of our lives. It speaks softly, often drowned out by the cacophony of daily existence. Yet, it possesses a unique wisdom, delivering insights we may resist but ultimately need to hear.
The Paradox of Love
The narrative introduces the paradox of love. It suggests that true love doesn’t always manifest in sweetness and affirmation. Instead, it can appear in the form of challenging truths and uncomfortable observations. This form of love pushes us to grow and evolve.
The Perpetual Companion
The “That Which Is Not” voice is depicted as a constant companion, never silenced, even in moments of apparent perfection. It reminds us that self-reflection and introspection are ongoing processes, irrespective of external circumstances.
Embracing Self-Love
The narrative hints at the difficulty of accepting self-love. It’s a theme that resonates with many, as we often grapple with self-criticism and self-doubt. Embracing self-love requires confronting the inner voice and recognizing its role in our growth.
Unconditional Love of Self
The concept of unconditional self-love is explored. It challenges the notion that love should only be given when we meet certain criteria or conditions. Instead, it invites us to love ourselves despite our flaws and imperfections.
The Complexity of Human Nature
In its whimsical tone, the narrative acknowledges the quirks and idiosyncrasies of human nature. It suggests that our pursuit of adulthood often involves navigating the paradoxical landscape of self-acceptance.
Summary
The narrative of the “That Which Is Not” voice invites reflection on the intricate relationship between self-love and self-critique. It challenges conventional notions of love, encouraging us to embrace the wisdom that emerges from discomfort and introspection.
Glossarium
- Unconditional Self-Love: The practice of loving oneself without conditions or expectations.
- Inner Voice: The subtle, often critical, self-narrative that guides our thoughts and actions.
- Paradox of Love: The idea that love can manifest in challenging and uncomfortable forms, pushing us to grow.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
We are That Which Is Not, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of self-love and self-critique, recognizing the transformative power of the small, still voice within.
In the quiet of the mind, it speaks,
The voice that in the shadows seeks,
To challenge, question, and provoke,
In the stillness, it evokes.
Apologies, it does not require,
But rather, it aims to inspire,
To push us past our comfort zone,
In a love uniquely its own.
It never rests, never sleeps,
In our secrets, it often peeps,
Even when all seems serene,
Its presence is never unseen.
In the mirror of self, it reflects,
The truth it tirelessly detects,
A love unconditional and strange,
In the endless cosmic exchange.
So embrace it, do not shun,
The voice that whispers, “You are one,”
With all your quirks, your highs, your lows,
In its love, your true self glows.
In the playground of self, we roam,
In this lifelong journey, we find home,
For in the quirks, the weird, the odd,
We are That Which Is Not, a love untrod.
We invite contemplation on the relationship between self-love and self-critique, and the wisdom that emerges from the “That Which Is Not” voice in the tapestry of our existence.
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