If your life seems meaningless, it's time to challenge yourself.

[@Carl-x8y3c]

I am a male of 64 . I have made a decision to make changes in my life. I lived a sinful life . I was traumatized in a violent crime and started to drink alcohol to deal with the pain. I drank for years. It caused much grief , and i wasn't a good person under the influence of alalcohol. i have 8 years of sobriety after hitting a rock bottom. In the time of sobriety i have looked at other areas in my life. I have arthritis now , but i keep active , and enjoy walking. I'm responsible for my own happiness.

[@adamhughes4442]

Respect. I hope you find peace and meaning in your life.

[@saragarcia9962]

Good work getting and staying sober.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@Carl-x8y3c That is an ongoing commitment that each of us needs to make: to take responsibility for our own happiness despite our pain.

[@MarttyKoppelas]

🤝

[@John-rb3yv]

@Carl: I relate Carl At 59 I came into recovery Since then, I have worked the 12 Steps; as laid out in the big book of AA and my life is unfolding into Goodness. And the way this wonderful woman has just laid out a simple plan for living, it mirrors the 12 STEP!!!! She has become a part if my 11th step…. Please get a sponsor(sporitual sub contractor) and get to uncovering, deconstructing, …..and….. DISGARDING!…… NEW YEAR NEW US !

[@denizkebabhaus]

I am grateful to have found your channel in 2024. This has been a year of immense self work for me. I am not completely "there" yet, but I have learned to be gentle with myself and I'm slowly learning to stand up for myself and love me for the fact that I'm just a human being. Your wisdom and kindness has helped me many of times and I strive to be such an inspiration like you one day. Thank you thank you thank you, best wishes for the new year. May it be full of love, success, health and peace for you and your loved ones.

[@evagrosz1621]

The best wishes for the new year ! Thank You Emmy ! Thanks to those people who help each other, to those who give and don't expect to receive, to those doctors and sisters who saved our lives, to those unknown heroes who work hard for tomorrow's bread, to those who dare to rebel against injustice , to those who do not let nature be destroyed and to those people from whom we can learn, and to pass on to the next generation . I thank Socrates for discovering dialogue, I thank my parents who loved us in any situation and did not differentiate between people, not by color or ethnicity and not by their level of knowledge or wealth, I thank the energy I still have at 80 I can help my 90-year-old husband. Thanks to the music and literature that beautified my life. I hope I have the energy to live with the sadness that sometimes overwhelms me. Thank You All !

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@evagrosz1621 Wonderful celebration of life Eva! 💐🙏

[@SamWinchesterr]

I will be 20 in january 1st, and watching this makes me feel emotional. Because during my entire teenage years, i tried to do stuff, and i found myself in this boredom. I guess im not the only one who doesnt become the person they want.. but this video is so beautiful... thank you, my friend

[@DreErdna]

Watching & learning about existentialism at 20 years old is amazing!!! Stick to it

[@El_Nombre-e3x]

what a lovely birthday, too

[@deborahcouzensVEGAN4animals]

VERY POIGNANT video for me at this stage...thank you Emny I needed this. 🐶

[@SamWilkinsonn]

You emanate immense kindness and wisdom. I really enjoyed listening to that, it almost gave me a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately though I’m a pessimist and the more I look into philosophy, history, civilisational collapse, capitalism, etc. the more I despise the world I inhabit, and want no part in it. I know I should help people, it’ll make me feel better as well as them, but knowing a bitter end is coming to us all soon is crippling. Anyway I’ll keep what you said in mind and hopefully, after ruminating on your advice, I’ll forge the necessary tools to give me a more fulfilling life. Time will tell… All the best ✌️

[@EdelweisSusie]

I’ve spent 55 years helping others - no more! When my own life has fallen apart there’s never been anyone to support me through the trauma, so now when other people ask for my help, I’m too busy - them see how it feels.

[@postcodeox278]

It's sad that people never came to your aid when you needed help

[@briechilli4496]

same 😢 i was universal mother, a do good-er, helping, generous, loving, empathic. when it finally came to me needing support, i realised i was alone. At 68 yrs of age, I’m struggling with the idea that perhaps i was suppose to be self centred ! 😢

[@John-rb3yv]

You can work and move past your trauma Reach out and ask for help from someone who has been lifted out of their’s….. You will have to let go of old ideas about people places things everything It is possible…

[@angebeesley9036]

I have just come across your channel, your words resonated with me. I do feel I'm going through a transformation of some kind. Thank you for sharing I look forward to watching more of your vlogs wise words thank you

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@angebeesley9036 welcome to my channel. I hope you find many ideas to support you and many fellow travellers to make the journey more companionable.

[@conniesaayman5038]

Thankyou Emmy, needed to hear this

[@arshaddurrani3885]

Thankyou for this reassuring talk.

[@glizzyhendrix]

This video came at just the right time for me-thank you.

[@John-rb3yv]

You are an ongoing part of my 11th step work Emmy! So simple Not easy but it does get easier and better

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

Yeah. You will look back with satisfaction in how you have shepherded your life back into safety. Have a look at my meeting with Sam, which is also about that.

[@honeysimonian2078]

I genuinely appreciate you, Emmy. Thanks ❤

[@katyjackson8381]

Very true Emmy, I’m reading Middlemarch by George Eliot and have learnt so much about myself and other people. 📚

[@NomadProfessional]

Yes coping with meanlessness and meaning making, is an existential challange, this is like V.Frankl's ideas, your Philosophical/Theraputic videos are greatly valued Emmy. Im focusing on my Existential situation and real fundament choices, Thanks.

[@AndreaAth]

I find a lot of truth and comfort in your words. Thank you. It's been a hard year but I feel like I'm making progress

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@AndreaAth keep going and keep doing the right things.

[@joaquinmonfort1974]

Thank you Emmy, great, timely advice.

[@njohnston1224]

Emmy that is so very true .!! thankyou for re inspiring me . I'm struggling with arthritis I'm very bad now and mobility is so hard I was so active ..I try not to let it get me in a negative frame of mind .. I'm doing best I can . Happy new year to you .I love all your wonderful videos ❤

[@corneliabugelnig5654]

You are such a blessing for the world❤

[@marylynch951]

Thank you Emmy God bless you always ❤❤

[@Nathaliann]

Thank you Emmy, to be honest and represent those who are going through a difficult day, doing nothing only takes us away from our personal progress which at the same time impacts our society. If there is no help of their own, the circumstances do not matter. Our support must be the most faithful and constant. I see it more clearly, thank you for putting the subject up for discussion. Les mando muchas fuerzas a quienes están buscando estar mejor. Thank you very much for your time and dedication

[@JOHNOGRADY-un2ft]

Thank you Emmy

[@carmengiles456]

Thank you Emmy 🙏 Your video is exactly what I needed today. Having those bored, disconected feelings you spoke of st the begining. Shall turn of youtube & pick up a book now.

[@NatureHeadSupreme]

Nice! Thanks again

[@cuddlemuff6632]

I always had this driving force in me that was very independent yet since my sister died last year, the last member of my family even though we lived in different countries life seems meaningless.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@cuddlemuff6632 and yet: now it’s up to you to define the family’s presence in the world.

[@cuddlemuff6632]

@@EmmyvanDeurzenI would love to be able to talk to you about this because I can’t make sense of it now. I hope to get in touch with Dilemma Consultancy in the new year.

[@florence7743]

Thank you Emmy❤✨️🙏

[@epicrunner]

🙏🏾 🫂 thank you

[@sloncenieksiezyc]

And where from get the money to have time for all of this? 😢

[@heliaandrade146]

Yes thats all well , but living in a environment with lots of ice and have had 2 concussions from falling in ice I don’t want to go out in our winters. Most people who have a hip fracture die within 6 months. Thats what happened to my Mom in less than 6 months, With a very low income these things all sounds great but are not attainable for us low income people. We are depressed.. looking after our elders, kids at home and working 2 jobs and partime to make ends meet .. Easy to say but try doing it. With very

[@creepycrawlything]

Making use of your reference to meaning in life, and to its experienced absence. I find myself strangely saddened by the passing of (former President) Jimmy Carter. Not often that players on big stages make it through my nihilism belt (to do with things collective) as rounded down-to-Earth actual human persons. Somehow he did. Had to say this somewhere.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

A significant observation, which you did well to make publicly. For it demonstrates very clearly that your experienced absence of meaning and nihilism are not (only) an internal problem: they are much more likely to derive from the lack of meaningful connectivity in the public domain, where much seems either random or power and profit related most of the time. Carter somehow managed to escape from the negativity that was strongly correlated with his presidency and became his own person, saying what many of us think and becoming an example of someone who set himself free, somehow. This tells us as much about the public arena and its effects on all of us as it tells us about your great sensitivity to meaning, when you smell it, despite the superficial appearance of your nihilism. Perhaps you are simply reflecting the world's cynism and Carter slipped under that net.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

ps. your unexpected sadness does you credit.

[@annecaughlan693]

Emmy, I just read the following book, in effort to learn more about Arendt, but learned more than I expected about Beauvoir. You mentioned in a podcast that you found her to be a big influence on your life. Love to hear/watch a podcast about that. Cheers, Anne (The Visionaries, by Wolfram Eilenburger)

[@andrewmount459]

I may have trouble with committing to my life itself.

[@opticalman6417]

it not your job to do so your here today gone tomorrow noting really matters this world is feck no point trying to fix it

[@bobblebec12]

Thank you 😊 only thing I would say is not everybody can read and the helpful thing of listening to content is also so helpful to learn ❤

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

I will bear this in mind.

[@ThomasLasry]

Attractively presentable

[@ulrikepollmann6791]

You are marvellous, Emmy❤ You are so invigorating. Greetings from Germany

[@SantiagoNr1]

Thank you

[@corneliabugelnig5654]

Thank you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@erik_1953]

We are in the middle of a spiritual battle, that has already killed a lot of unaware living spirits and those fighting the battle. But, yes, we have to take care of ourselves while the final battle for this mankind continues until is will be over............................

[@mickrozycki451]

We are in the middle of a spiritual battle. Is the enemy within?

[@lucisulforte3085]

Thank you❤ How can you get unstuck when nothing has no sense anymore and does not give you joy? Need something deeper but don’t know what

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

You need to learn new things about life and psychology and philosophy and spirituality and you will get inspired.

[@derekmalunow8962]

Thanks for the video 🙂

[@sunithagopi6518]

Thank you emmy for this enlightening talk. ❤ from India🇮🇳

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

So nice to think of you listening in India too. I wonder where exactly?

[@sunithagopi6518]

Bangalore

[@mylittlecorneroftheworld633]

Thank you Emmy, I found you one night on my darkest day and you always seem to come to my rescue. ❤️

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@mylittlecorneroftheworld633 it tells me that you are always looking for what you need, when you need it. Good practice.

[@DreErdna]

My professor showed me you… glad they did 🎉 b well

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@DreErdna great professor!

[@superbrewllc]

Dear Emmy. I Like your big smile and making video online!

[@Ancestor_Numero_Uno]

Been stuck in the middle for forty years now.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@Ancestor_Numero_Uno time to change!

[@MarttyKoppelas]

💐

[@56348u]

Can hardly get out of bed.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@56348u Then the first challenge is a clear one: get up and get out for a short walk, every morning.

[@nneisler]

Gotta do something

[@MikeGathercole]

Dadgummit Emmy you've been reading my mail again!

[@BONUSGATTO]

As how manure is contributive to the perfume of the rose

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

You said a wise word there.

[@laiky4373]

Hi Emmy! I've been gradually going through a spiritual awakening over the past few years and recently discovered Eckhart Tolle. Im curious as to whether you've dealved into his work? Its completely flipped my view of absolutely everything in such a profound and wonderful way. I just read Transcending the Ego.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@laiky4373 glad you found the right teacher for you.

[@TomTremayne]

I thoguht I'd made my own secret discovery here with Emmy's channel, but then saw she had 62,000 sub's!!

[@lucreziavernia]

💙

[@unamujer4545]

♥

[@daviddevalera6382]

Were my life a novel, I'd have no idea what it is about. The main character's motivations (me!) would be mostly inscrutable. What is the theme, the message, *the point* of all this that has occurred? I have enough scribbles in this notebook of life that surely I can gather them together to tell a coherent story, to relate a meaningful narrative. I've been a lazy Author. Now, I am an aging one. Do I have the vigor/time to write this chaos into Poetry? It saddens me to witness how we savage one another and this planet. We are poor stewards of the gift of life and the Earth to experience it upon. What you said about service to others is the only way I know to cope. In all this Noise, Pain, to find another and help them to know peace and calm. It feels like a losing battle, like removing a single grain of sand from a barren beach. Yet, if everyone addressed the "sand" at their feet, we could reshape even the vastest shore.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@@daviddevalera6382 yes, you do. Find the courage to write that poetry.

[@cuddlemuff6632]

I so much relate to what you said in your your first paragraph

[@daviddevalera6382]

@@cuddlemuff6632 My observation is that most of us would be equally perplexed if we were to attempt to read our lives like a book. It would be like reading the dictionary - we'd be completely lost a few pages into Chapter A. 🤣 Truly, existence is the strangest thing to have ever happened to me. What Glorious Havoc!

[@thistleproductions6431]

I disagree, doubting and questioning are the bases for intelligence and being able to think for ones self, which should never stop.

[@EmmyvanDeurzen]

@thistleproductions6431 we are not in disagreement then.

[@murmulefy]

❤

[@shawnmendrek3544]

I keep getting ads to join the space force, I don't know. Isn't that challenge enough? I will listen though. I see the book I ching, that book confused me. I did not finish it.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

If you’re bored, you’re boring. Happy new year!

[@basicbrothermail]

acedia

[@LargoWinch-th4gm]

❤