Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Space (01/23/06)
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TITLE: Large and Small | Previous Challenge Entry
By Paul Mobley
01/26/06 -
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Outer space.
Space in the western USA.
Arctic region space.
Personal space.
The universe provides unlimited space, however the vehicle we would travel in restricts movement, but
would provide views never dreamed of before. I have never been in outer space yet I can see that it
could be so overwhelming that our own personal being could become tiny even in our own mind. And
that view would likely reduce our ego and enlarge our thinking, and thoughts at the same time.
Open areas out west made me feel like I had been let loose. The confinement of buildings and
highways, and masses of people, were gone, expanding physical freedom, easing those same pressures
on my mind so it could think and imagine hindered only by my own thoughts.
The arctic region is another kind of physical space, uniquely without trees and shrubs, or many people.
The native Inuits are acclimated to the weather and the absence of vegetation, and do well . For me the
weather is very confining, where even arctic clothing, when outdoors, can become the limit to space,
having become my protection, even my life.
The affects of areas on personal space can affect each of us, but are usually liveable . People in areas
do affect our personal space. So we set boundaries for that space, that each of us has control over.
Stopping in a sports store for some fishing supplies a section with clothing caught my eye so I detoured
to it to shop. A young lady was the clerk. She came up so close to me I didn't know whether she was
going to hug me or what. She had invaded my personal space. She had violated a space reserved for
spouse or girlfriend for who it would be acceptable, but not from a stranger, or anyone not a close
friend.
Personal space is tricky because it can vary for each person. I want my spouse, my children, and
parents to be close mentally, emotionally, and physically. I want a hug and a kind word from them.
And I reciprocate. My personal space for them does not go beyond my skin. But for others that space
enlarges.
Friends today commonly hug as a greeting. But I do not like it when a good friend puts an arm around
me, or hugs me, male or female. Whether I feel violated, or just constrained, I am not sure, yet that is
probably secondary. My personal space has been invaded, violated, without my approval, and that
may be the most important aspect for me.
We want God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit close to us, with us each day in every thing we do or think,
or try. I know I do. The promise of Jesus in John 14:23 is very important to me. I want them inside my
personal space ever near me.
A study of Jesus reveals that he kept his personal space except for a few. We do not know all facets of
the customs of that time, but it is likely he hugged, and was hugged, by his mother Mary. The same for
his father Joseph. And we see the apostle John leaning on him. But other than these he seems to have
had one personal space, which he maintained, free of any person or activity that would have kept him
from fulfilling his purpose, his life, for God.
Many aspects, and actions, of personal space are evident in the life of each of us. And when one is
violated we become upset, even though that upset may be invisible to others.
For all these reasons we have no right to violate another persons personal space. It is theirs whether
large or small, it is mine, whether it has restrictions others like or not, and whether it is right or wrong.
One can teach me, and show me the personal space of others, but until I change the actions of others
need to observe my personal space..
Personal space is a private matter, a personal matter, and for each of us the current personal space of
each should be observed.
.
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