About Nothing

Nothing is a word far more used than one would believe.

‘What happened?’

‘Nothing.’

 

‘Is there something I can help you with?’

‘No, nothing.’

 

‘What did you say to him that upset him?’

‘Nothing!’

 

‘What is he saying?’

‘Nothing important.’

 

Aside from the use of the word, it hurts more, or if you wish, it affects us more when we are forced by circumstance to pretend that those nothings do not bother us.

Here below is a short enumeration, but I am sure that there are many others:

- When, due to circumstance, we must waste our time having discussions that do not seem to reach a conclusion. Not now, not soon enough.

- When others’ irresponsibility must be forgiven, sometimes to the detriment of our responsibility.

- When a work colleague acts as if she/ he is one’s boss, and although one is firm one is still bothered by the fact that she/ he insists on acting as the boss.

- When the trend is to exaggerate with making compliments, and because one does not do it, one is singled-out.

- When someone is so superficial in her/ his declarations that it almost makes one sick, but when one says something is seen as an attacker.

- When all the parties present understand that someone’s sayings are falsities, but no one says anything and thus they tacitly approve.

- When the status quo is make-belief.

- When one is obliged to listen to those that speak with a know-it-all tone.

 

All of the above may give you the impression that I might be a know-it-all myself. But no, I am not. Some things will, whether one gets involved or not in the act of change, always find their meaning and usage.

How do I deal with nothing? By laughing my heart out with those that are bothered by the same things as myself. By learning the lessons from the aforementioned situations – how to deal with frustration, how not to take it personally, how to embrace this ugly nothing and then release it before it ruins my composure, trust in people and expectations.

Usually, we want the bad things gone as soon as possible. But it so happens that these bad things are what help us appreciate the good things. From nothing towards meaning and essence. This is how the new year should unfold for us!