The Existence of Nothing

The number zero has not always been used in counting. When counting objects, one generally begins with "one." Most of us rarely contemplate the meaning of zero or the idea of nothing. After sharing my interest in opposites, a professor recently suggested I read some of Alan Watt's work and I stumbled upon this video of Alan Watt's describing nothingness which does fit with my theory that we live in a world of opposites. I really like the short portion of a Radiohead song at the end.

Perfect Flaw

Everything is exactly as it is supposed to be / Nothing is as it should be

The Abstract Concrete Paradox

What is reality? The scientist may argue that reality is based upon concrete facts. We can prove they are true and account for them. The philospher may argue that concrete objects are temporary and that reality is what they represent- thought. Are thoughts and ideas more real than tangible objects?
Lev Vygostky (Russian Cognitive Development Psychologist) said that, "A word devoid of thought is a dead thing." Until a book is opened and read, it is meaningless. Once a book is taken into a human mind, it becomes a living thing.
Is reality, then, abstract or concrete? Ah! --the perfect example of my theory of opposites. They are both 100% true. Words, thoughts, and ideas live longer than individuals. Vygotsky was influenced by Russian poet Osip Mandelstam. The idea that we are more than physical beings (concrete reality) is expressed through his poetry. Finding the right containers (words) for our thoughts is our abstract struggle, while finding food and shelter is our concrete one. Mandelstam beautifully illustrates this here:

The word I forgot
Which once I wished to say
And voiceless thought
Returns to the shadow's chamber.

Triumphant Defeat

We are born into a particular family, with a gifts of natural intellect and ability, without any choice whatsoever. Yet, we feel as though we can control our lives through choices and actions.
We control nothing / We have free choice
Which? Both
There is power in surrender.

Serious Relaxation

As I whirl through my day, juggling responsibilities and prioritizing my attention to a variety of tasks, I must remind myself of another oxymoron. If I believe in what I hope to accomplish, I give 100 percent to the task. At the same time, I am aware that I am not indispensable. It is possible to focus intently to a purpose and yet let it go, understanding that it is both critically important yet (in the big picture) not important at all. This would not be true if I were to give up and say, "Nothing matters. All is futile." To be alive is to breathe such paradoxes again and again.