Quote I Like:

"I beg you.....to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart, and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.

Don't search for the answers, which could not be given now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now.

Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer........"

-Rainer Maria Rilke

Definition of "Emptiness"

Emptiness as a human condition is described as an elusive and disturbing feeling of numbness, inability to feel anything emotionally, or not having any purpose. It can be better described as a situation where a certain lack or lacks in one's life overtake the emotional and mental focus in an obsessive, sometimes subconscious manner. Feelings of emptiness often accompany chronic discontent, depression, loneliness, or despair. It may seek expression through different types of self-harming behaviors, and in more extreme cases, suicide.

Emptiness often involves alienation, be it temporary or acquired, and sometimes self-hatred. Persons tending to feel emptiness often come from problematic familial backgrounds. If at all there was a family nucleus, their needs were ignored, they were considered second class, they experienced many separations, or there was outright abuse.

Granted, a sense of emptiness is not always associated as such, and may be part of a natural process of grief, as resulting of separation, death of a loved one, or other significant changes to one's life.

Treatment of feelings of emptiness may be similar to treatment of clinical depression. Some people may find psychotherapy beneficial. Self-occupation is important if the afflicted person is to hold off the negative effects, and avoid the natural aggravation of the untreated emotion.

Other solutions possible are:

* Getting a pet - it has been found that often pets are able to ease the sense of emptiness or loneliness.
* Faith, some people may find their faith spiritually fulfilling.
* Volunteering also fills the time and brings social contact.
* Engaging in any social interaction.