NATURE ABHORS A VACUUM

We as humans have the ability to set, organize and manage goals. Many begin with a solid goal in mind and create the steps to achieve the goal. The goals may be hard but you have the tools to set yourself up for success.

A Lifestyle Change Decision

This will require changes or modifications of a person’s life. Change is not easy but in the end it is beneficial to embrace it early on in the process for success in reaching your goals.

Think of people you have known in the past as they began a new prospect or goal in their lives. Perhaps even yourself. Everything starts well, but something causes a derailment of the progress.

This is where the concept of “Horror Vacui” (fear of an empty space) comes into play. In physics, horror vacui reflects Aristotle's idea that "nature abhors an empty space."

In mentoring people I use the principle of horror vacui in helping them with change in their lives. It never fails that someone wants help with a problem or goal in their life-yet has only removed the obstacle holding them back and has yet to fill it with a positive replacement. therefore living out the philosophy of “horror vacui” .

There are many examples in life of nature abhorring an empty space. Think of your kitchen table.In the first scenario: you see a completely empty kitchen table. This same kitchen table after sometimes 5 minutes will begin slowly to fill up with stuff: Mail, groceries, crayons, take out food, purses, jewelry, backpacks. Take this same kitchen table and place a centerpiece in the middle of the table. I have seen this play out many times at friends and relatives homes. The table remains not as a catch all, but as a functioning piece of furniture. When meal time comes the table is free to be set for its intended use. The difference is the table in the second scenario was not an empty space. The decorative centerpiece held the space and therefore the “vacuum” was eliminated. .

I also use the example of addictions when mentoring people. Take alcoholism-they have a saying “put the plug in the jug”. What happens after you proverbially “put the plug in the jug.” You have created a space void of alcohol. If you do not want alcohol to refill the space (and as anyone sober from any addiction will tell you.) The addiction will try all sorts of cunning baffling and powerful ways to return to it’s familiar home with the suffering addict

Addiction of any kind can be thought of as the “empty” kitchen table. Like the empty kitchen table a recovering addict can become a catch all for all kinds of outer and inner emotional accumulation. The addiction when not filled with other positive aspects of life (centerpiece) will eventually insist on having it’s empty space filled with alcohol, suicidal thoughts, depression, melancholy, employment issues, relationship issues, jails, institutions or death.

Placing centerpieces on the addiction “empty table” will fill the hole left by the removal of the addictive activity or behavior. Suggestions for the “centerpiece” are: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. AA member’s will garner the support of other recovering alcoholics who understand the pain and isolation the recovering person is dealing with. A sponsor in AA will guide you through the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, contact numbers from program members, literature including the “Big Book” a blue book published as the main literary text of AA. The meeting will also provide many other sources of literature, booklets and pamphlets as tools to help the AA member.

An added benefit of joining the AA program is social events with other sober people. These social events may include picnics, potlucks, dances workshops, and conferences.

Creating and living on a budgeting system is another example of “horror vacui”. Budget systems actually are supposed to show the person/couple/family how they can have more abundance in their lives. At the initial review of income and expenditures many are puzzled at how this lifestyle change is going to produce abundance. Many only see it as an elimination system. Budgeting can take them on a journey filled with abundance if they stay with the program. The reason for most failures in budgeting occur by not filling the void created at the beginning of the budgeting process. Take a young couple in their early twenties that brings in a modest $30,000 per year.

They have static unchangeable expenses of $1783.00 per month. When they approached budgeting they thought for sure there was no room to control flexible expenses. They Spend $1754.00 on flexible expenses. Which totals $3537.00 per month in expenditures. which is $1037.00 over their monthly income. They were shocked to learn of the budget deficit. By filling voids with home brewed over gourmet coffee house coffee they discovered a shocking $754.00 per month savings. Using personal care and toiletry products they already have on hand they realized $50 per month savings. Bringing their lunches from home $600 per month savings, $120 a month is saved on cat care expenses by limiting treat and toy purchases. Using foundational wardrobe pieces (that she already owns) the wife can reduce clothing/shoes purchase’s by 100 per month. Dining out expenses can be reduced to $100 a month by planning and preparing meals together. This also overlaps with the entertainment category. Dine together with a bottle of wine and then curl up to binge watch a favorite show. Socializing with friends in your twenties is important. Our couple can reduce the expense of nights out eating and drinking with friends by inviting their friends over “BYOB”. Prepare some appetizers or split the cost of pizzas. Savings of $100 on entertainment per month. A “centerpiece” for our couple to employ is recreation and hobbies to enjoy. A walk in a park in their neighborhood. Weekly budget meetings where they map progress toward goals with their surplus money in their budget. Our couple saved $1824.00 on expenses per month, a $787 budget surplus instead of a $3537.00 budget deficit! A successful strategy was created by recognizing and filling voids eliminated by unnecessary expenditures.

One of our greatest challenges occurs when we embark on a weight loss plan. These plans do not fail because we lack will power. More often than not they fail because we do not fill the voids created when we change our eating habits. Weight loss just as any other significant life change requires its own set of “centerpieces.”

Many people remove food items simply because they deem them unhealthy. They do not consider the ramifications of creating the void by going “cold turkey” on a favorite item in their weekly diet. The double bacon cheeseburger extra large serving of fries washed down with a chocolate malt while extremely tasty will cause major concern for your cardiologist; not to mention your waistline. A factor to consider when indulging in this meal is do you generally enjoy this meal with friends at a restaurant socializing? If so consider the fact that it may be the company and socializing you desire more than the meal itself. This meal can contain over 3000 calories. The place you and your friends meet to unwind and catch up, is it known for burgers and brews --is that why you may be ordering this meal weekly? A Burger at a restaurant can sometimes cost $12. The burger-is it really that good? You can get 3 pounds of ground chuck (lean) for $7.98. If you eliminate this meal without filling the void -you will lay awake at night craving this meal. You will curse the day you ever thought about losing weight in the first place.You will self sabotage and wonder why your weight loss plan failed. An easier softer way to get through the initial first few weeks will help fill the void. If not offered on the menu ask the manager if they can provide an alternative plant based burger. If you were not told you are not eating a regular burger you would not know the difference. Real dairy cheese on top of a plant based burger adds an extra creamy treat.

Substitute a grilled chicken fillet if not available. The extra large serving of fries--tell the waitperson you wish to share your fries with the table and to place them on a separate plate in the center of the table. I have learned that when sharing fries I only eat about 3 french fries and am satisfied. This can be tricky in the beginning. You may reach for more fries than planned but I assure you you will be taking less or not ordering fries as time goes by. There is not a suitable substitute for a chocolate malt. Begin with coffee and cream, move to water or diet soda.

Eliminating poor eating choices only works if you develop and add other items to your diet which will become staples in your culinary chest. Eggs can be replaced with egg substitutes. The white of the egg has the protein. The fat is in the yolk. Replace hash browns with tomato slices and have only one piece of whole wheat toast with your breakfast. Breakfast starts your metabolism for the day. Skipping breakfast will cause you to be hungrier throughout the day and may lead to impulsive food choices.

Protein pack each day. Eliminating fats and carbs will only work if you add protein. Think of protein as your main centerpiece. Protein can be gleaned from sources other than animals. These include: Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas) quinoa, nuts, seeds, cereals, grains, dairy, eggs and fish.

The most important part of any weight loss plan is while you eliminate items that are sabotaging you-you are mindful to replace them with healthy habits. Notice: is your eating motivated by emotions, boredom, food left out on counters. Do you associate food with friends and social time: perhaps a change to a place that has healthier options. Instead of a candy bar in the afternoon talk a walk for some fresh air. You will find it is much better than a candy bar. Instead of just couch surfing at night take a walk at a local park. Enjoy TV time after your walk. Join a gym for extra support and socializing. If you have the space, set up a treadmill facing your TV and walk on it as you watch your favorite shows.

Aristotle's teachings and philosophies were developed in ancient greek times. We see examples of "horror vacui" and its application in our technical and digital age. Physics serves us well if we embrace it's principles and learn to work with them in our daily lives.