By Marilyn C. Arayata
THERE are people who are rich, famous, and loved by many – but deep inside, they feel empty. How can it be?
One reason people feel empty is constantly following other people’s demands that their own happiness is sacrificed.
From food, lifestyle, course, career, love life, and other personal decisions, they do not feel free to choose at all. Almost all things are dictated by those that they want to please, to the point that they feel like a robot.
Another reason people feel empty is when they do not love. For Dragos Bratasanu, award-winning scientist, writer and speaker, love “takes the shapes and forms that are most needed in the moment: a helping hand, a shoulder or a tight embrace, a glass of water, a few coins, a place to sleep, forgiveness, mercy, friendship, truth.” He says when we judge another as unworthy and block the flow, we hurt ourselves. “If you express love in your actions, you feel this love yourself. If you withhold love, you feel emptiness and pain.”
Lack of meaningful social connection and action may also lead to feelings of emptiness. It’s different when you feel that you are part of a whole, part of a family, part of a team, part of a circle, part of something that benefits other human beings. Look at people who do volunteer work. They are happy!
People who have a low self-esteem feel empty. They go after material things, power, prestige, and recognition. The “high” that pleasurable things give can make them forget the feeling of emptiness, but this is temporary.
I guess all of us will feel a certain level of emptiness in this earthly life. It’s normal because the void in every human heart is for God to fill. If we were satisfied with this life, there would be no room for God in our lives.
Do you feel empty, lonely, unworthy, alone, or defeated? Give it to God.
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Marilyn Arayata: inspirational author, columnist, speaker, and former DLSU-D faculty, your partner in preventing bullying, depression, and suicide. [email protected].
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