Die Empty Making Others’ Lives Full
“Which do you think is the most valuable land in the world?” a Master asked his disciples. One of them said, “The oil fields of the Middle East” while another quipped, “The diamond mines of Africa” and others gave various answers. Since their answers were not correct, the Master gave them an answer that changed their outlook on life, and this was his answer: “The most valuable land in the world is the graveyard.” As the disciples looked puzzled, he continued, “In the graveyard lie buried most of the dreams that were unrealized, goals that were never reached and ideas that never saw the light of day. There lie hidden beneath the tombstones many mounds of thoughts and objectives that could have immensely benefitted the world, but were sadly never fructified.”
As we approach the close of the year 2022, the words of Todd Henry in his famous book, Die Empty, are worth considering, “Don’t go to your grave with your best work inside you. Choose to die empty.” At the end of the day you must feel that you have made use of most of your talents, creative ideas and dreams in helping others to realize them. This, of course, does not happen by accident. It requires sustained effort, will-power and determination.
Empty your life as you make steady and secure progress, by sharing with others all your knowledge, goodness and kindness instead of keeping them hidden in the dark recesses of your heart before you make your last journey to your grave. If you have an idea, endeavour to execute it, if you have deviated from the path to your goals strive to get back to the right paths. If you have made mistakes or offended someone, settle it at the earliest. In other words, empty out your talents to be used to enrich others… when our talents and abilities, etc., are fully utilized to help others live their lives to the fullest, our own life too will be full, not emptied out! We have plenty of examples of great men and women who died with the least regret about how they spent their lives for the benefit of other people.
This issue of TTT features stories of individuals like Ratan Tata, Sharmila Divate and Harmanpreet Kaur who, despite many hurdles in their lives, are the living examples of living one’s life to the fullest with the result that they are making the world a happier, healthier and kinder place than they found it. Let other articles, too, help you empty yourself out thoroughly so as to help others live a truly fuller and richer life!
Vincent Carmel is the Chief Editor of The Teenager Today. He brings with him years of experience in working with young people. He was actively involved with the Indore-based Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) for over three years. A great lover of the North East, he was the Director of the North East Social Communications (NESCOM), organising motivational programmes for the youth of the region.
