The Power of Nothing

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 231 – The Power of Nothing

The Power of Nothing (10-06-08)

As a former teacher of science, I used to challenge my junior high students to go home one night, and while at the dinner table, pick up any object and ask the question, “Why is this more nothing than it is something?” This was a lead in to helping them to understand that while we think of objects as being solid, they are composed of, on the atomic level that is, particles in motion that are held together by forces, and in actuality, having little bits of “nothing” between them. Without that “nothing” a locomotive might be reduced to the size of a thimble. It would weigh as much as a full size locomotive, but with all the sub-atomic “nothings” taken away would not take up the same amount of space. So, there can be tremendous value and power in “nothing.” Imagine what our universe would be like, for instance, without all the vast voids between the planets, stars and galaxies. Those voids, those “nothings” far exceed the “something” of which the universe is fashioned.

Well, enough of my poor attempts at physics and astronomy. I hope I don’t have you thoroughly confused at this point. But, looking back to my days in the classroom, it is sad to say, one of the most disappointing “nothings” that has developed since then is that nothing seems to happen around the dinner table anymore. Families have become fragmented, going off in so many different directions, with so many activities that there is often precious little time for a family meal and everyone tends to eat on the run. So, one might say, the power of nothing that can give substance to matter and the universe can separate and diminish substance within relationships.

Have you ever happened upon a child at play, deep in thought, organizing the toys, playing pretend, engulfed in their own little world of fantasy? You ask them what they are doing and the answer, invariably, is “nothing.” What amazing little “nothings” are going on in that young mind as it develops and grows. Ask that same child, what it has done when something is wrong and you might get the same answer, “nothing.”

There is wondrous power in the many things that we characterize as “nothing.” A thank you from a friend is often met with “oh, it was nothing.” Perhaps someone asks what you did over the weekend. Your answer might be, “oh, nothing.” Was it really? Rest and relaxation can be a powerful “nothing” to propel us to greater achievements.

Our lives are full of actions and events that we often characterize as having little worth. If we have put our minds and bodies on hold with little in the way of mental stimulation and even less in the way of physical activity, then we will most certainly experience the stagnation that is one aspect of “nothing.” It is a power that robs us of vitality and motivation. However, even at rest, if we are learning, growing, and progressing in any way, we have most certainly harnessed the true power that is the power of “nothing.”
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Copyright 2004-2008 John R. Gesselberty. Mahler's Monday Morning Motivators (MMMM) may not be copied or used without permission of the author. All rights reserved.