This proposition, attributed to Aristotle, expresses the idea that unfilled spaces go against the laws of nature and physics and that every space needs to be filled with something.
I’m applying it here in the context of our thinking, and how we can find ourselves ‘filling in the blanks’ (the vacuum) and telling ourselves a story when
– we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, and worry about it or
– we feel bad about ourselves because of something that could’ve gone better for us previously or
– we have a low opinion and don’t feel good about ourselves even though there’s no evidence or justification for it
Our thoughts are just words that constitute the stories we tell ourselves, some are helpful, some less-so, and they tend to be based on how we see life according to things like our beliefs; attitudes; opinions; judgments; ideals; morals; values.
So, we can get caught up in false stories that give us problems – ‘’No one ever likes me’’; “I never succeed at anything” – or conversely, our stories can help us to manage our emotions and be cool.
Easier said than done, but let’s try and notice it if we’re making up a false story, and
💭 let the future take care of itself
💭 leave the past where it is
💭 ask myself for the evidence/justification if I’m being self-critical
“Nature abhors a vacuum”
