Into the Void — Discovering Ma
in Everyday Life

Recently, I received a thoughtful gift from a friend — a magazine titled Breathe: The Power of Less – A Guide to Letting Go, Embrace the Stillness, Find What Matters. One of the stories inside, “Into the Void: Exploring the Benefits and Beauty of Empty Space,” explored the meaning of the Japanese word Ma.

Ma conveys the concept of empty space — the pause between things — and its deep relationship to all aspects of life. Reading it brought to mind the words of Dr. Deepak Chopra, who once said that “the only reason we can read is because there is space between the letters.”

The next day, I was in my office on a very full and demanding day — working on three purchases and one refinance — when I began receiving calls from a new client looking for properties to buy. Around one o’clock, I felt the need to take a break. That’s when I remembered the concept of Ma.

I decided to step away. I drove to Pacifica, about fifteen minutes south, to my favorite café, Soul Grind. I ordered my favorite Bali Salad, and while eating, I found myself in a light conversation with a stranger. Afterwards, I went to the nearby beach — a favorite spot for surfers — and filled my lungs with the fresh ocean air.

When I returned to my car, I felt renewed, calm, and ready to get back to work. On the drive back to the office, a client called to get preapproved for a mortgage. With interest rates coming down, I expect we’ll soon be busier with refinancing — but I will always remember and practice the value of Ma: the empty space that gives meaning, rhythm, and peace to everything around it.

The three images you can see inside my story capture moments from this experience.

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