At any given point in time, we are occupying space in this multi-dimensional world. It is our responsibility to respect this God-given space and make the best use of it.
To my knowledge, no one has determined the composition of the soul. What a soul truly is remains a great mystery. The discussion of the soul will keep scientists and philosophers busy for the foreseeable future. What we know more about is the human body, which is the visible evidence of our earthly existence.
From being an unborn child in the mother’s womb to being a toddler, we use space. From living and learning as a young child to maturing into a fully-grown adult, we always occupy space. Even after death, when the soul has departed, the body stays as a part of the planet. The remains take up space under the earth.
How we use and treat spaces are indicators of our character. That could be our personal space that allows us to move our hands and legs. Or, it could be a piece of land or a building that we rent or own – the area that we claim to be reserved for our use, either temporarily or permanently.
Our physical presence requires the use of space. But as humans navigate through life, they may succeed in the accumulation of wealth that enables them to acquire rights to the use of spaces of various types – the inside of an airplane, a deck of a yacht, a court for the practice of sports, a mansion for the enjoyment of luxurious living, and much more. Humans can occupy spaces of various forms and shapes. How we treat and use space is more important than its vastness.
The things we learn in life and the way we behave often pertain to spaces. When a child wakes up in the morning, a parent may provide instruction on how to put the bedding back in proper order. This is because a bed is personal space and must be treated with respect. The parent may also teach the child proper bathroom etiquette because that too is a space that is essential in our everyday life and must be used and maintained well. When we sit at the dining table with our family members, we must ensure decent use of the space. Therefore, we should eat politely – and not spill food or make unwanted noises – out of respect for our own selves and for others.
Going beyond the walls of our residence, we continue to occupy spaces every single day. As we park a car in a lot, we must be careful not to cross the line into the next parking spot. When we stand in an elevator with couple of other people, we must do that in a way so that the personal spaces of other people remain undisturbed. When in a place of worship, we must establish our connection with God while ensuring that our physical presence and activities do not interfere with the prayers and spaces of others. The examples are endless.
In this world that we inhabit, we must not infringe on the personal areas of others. And that means we must also respect the territories in which wild animals live and plants and trees grow. The earth belongs to us as much as it belongs to the other creations that have life.
In fact, we all must co-exist for life to thrive. For humans to have food, clothing, and shelter, animals must be given freedom to live their lives according to their instincts and plants must be given space to grow and produce fruits. And animals and plants, too, need the care and company of humans to sustain their own lives. We are all children of nature. Collectively, we inhabit and share this planet.
But life is more than just holding on to one’s own space. Sometimes, transferring our own space to someone else might be extremely satisfying and joyful. What would you do if you were sitting inside a bus, and you saw an old person looking for a seat? Would you give up your seat to the senior citizen? Forgoing your own space on the seat to allow a senior citizen to take it might be a sign of good nature.
The way we use space is an indicator of our character. Let us protect our own space, and also respect the spaces of others inhabiting this planet. We do not create spaces but only occupy what exists. It is the Almighty God who determines the quota of space for each person. Therefore, when needed, we can let others use our space.