Life in a vacuum sucks!

Webster defines “Vacuum” as “a state of isolation from outside influences - “people who live in a vacuum…so that the world outside them is of no moment. W. S. Maugham”

I vaguely remember being a teenager. I remember that I was very self absorbed and that all I cared about was people who I perceived to be my friends, what they were thinking and what they were doing. I’m sure that I had brief moments when reality surfaced and I stepped outside of my selfishness, but they were scarce.

I don’t know why I should be surprised when I see or hear the callous disregard for family and friends by today’s teenagers and young adults, but I am. I wish that somehow I could help them to step outside of the situation and let them observe the hurt that their actions are inflicting on people who love and care about them. I wish that I could show them that the actions and decisions that they are making now, will stay with them the rest of their lives. That even if they are fortunate enough not to incur physical damage, they will carry emotional scars with them forever. No doubt that they will come to a point when they wish that they could take back hurtful words or actions, but what is done, is done. All we can wish for is understanding loved ones who take us at and forgive us for our worst, even when we don’t ask.

Thankfully, in time I realized that there was so much more to life and the world than my tiny universe. It actually was a gradual process of maturing and learning that when we give to others the return is so sweet. It may have been at one of my stints at summer camp but it could have been even earlier in one of my childhood Sunday school classes that someone introduced the true JOY concept; Jesus then Others then You = JOY. It seems so simple but so on the mark.

As Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in every heart.” It stands to reason that it is a vacuum that can only be filled by God when we put him first in our lives in every way, which includes treating others as He would want us to. It isn’t natural for us to want to put ourselves after God and Others but thankfully He gives us that ability. The ability to realize that we don’t live in a lonely, hopeless vacuum but rather one filled with support and love and warmth. All we have to do is step aside.

"May I be an enemy to no one and the friend of what abides eternally.
May I never quarrel with those nearest me, and be reconciled quickly if I should.
May I never plot evil against others, and if anyone plot evil against me,
may I escape unharmed and without the need to hurt anyone else.
May I love, seek and attain only what is good.
May I desire happiness for all and harbor envy for none.
May I never find joy in the misfortune of one who has wronged me.
May I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make reparation.
May I gain no victory that harms me or my opponent.
May I reconcile friends who are mad at each other.
May I, insofar as I can, give all necessary help to my friends and to all who are in need.
May I never fail a friend in trouble.
May I be able to soften the pain of the
grief stricken and give them comforting words.
May I respect myself.
May I always maintain control of my emotions.
May I habituate myself to be gentle, and never angry with others because of circumstances.
May I never discuss the wicked or what they have done, but know good people and follow in their footsteps.
[Prayer to practice the Golden Rule]"
— Eusebius