Running On Empty

The phrase "running on empty" literally means to have little or no energy, motivation, or resources left.

It can refer to physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, or emotional depletion.

It suggests that a person has depleted their reserves and is operating at a minimal level of functioning.

In his 1977 album Running On Empty, Jackson Browne reflects on his life, feeling like he's been running for a long time without direction while trying to keep his relationship with his partner going but unsure where his path was leading him.

It is also the title of a 1988 American film about a counterculture couple on the run from the FBI for an accidental killing. Their eldest son’s life is turned upside down because of one fatal mistake by his parents.

During her 20+ years of practice, Dr Jonice Webb, known for her research into Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN), observed that an amazing number of people were running on empty - an “invisible factor” from childhood that weighs upon people in adulthood, sapping their joy, making them feel disconnected or unfulfilled or causing them to struggle with self-discipline.

Every once in a while, I can attest to feeling like that too.

On the run. Empty inside. Empty outside.

Not from the FBI or far from the madding crowds but from myself, exhausted from the daily grind of life.

There are chores to do, bills to pay, and needs to be attended to.

Politics to worry about. The ghosts of the past that come back to haunt.

Getting old.

Money, or rather the lack of it.

Health issues, faith, life, death.

Sometimes it’s just so hard to get going, I don’t want to get out of bed.

The mind is saying yes, the body says no; or the other way around.

The thing is, regardless of the circumstances or reasons, these emotions are simply not going to go away on their own.

They will continue to shadow me.

Running On Empty.

If we cannot ignore it then, how can we manage it?

One of the first things most people do when getting into their vehicle is to check the petrol (gas) gauge.

If it falls below a certain level, they know they must fill it up before beginning the journey.

Likewise, we, you and me have got to find our fuel.

1. Who Is Your Fuel?

In the Facebook groups I belong to, I am constantly amazed at how many people look to their loved ones for mental, emotional, and physical support.

A large number put their spouses as the most important person in their lives. Their fuel.

God or a Supreme Being is another popular choice as their most important fuel.

Family, friends, mentors, colleagues, community, inspirational figures - they are all crucial to us not running on empty.

The lesson for me is: Irrespective of our destinations, we cannot journey alone. We need a few people around us. For support, accountability, check and balance.

2. What is your Fuel?

Just like a car needs fuel to run, people need something to drive them forward.

The factors that give you energy, motivation, and a sense of purpose in life could be passions, goals, values, or things that inspire - the things that keep you going and make you feel excited and motivated to do what you do.

The lesson here is: We need to keep reflecting on and reviewing what inspires us to do what we are doing. Sometimes, it’s time to change gears; slow down, or even pull the brakes on whatever we are doing if need be.

Running on empty also closely relates to the problem of pain.

Emptiness is a kind of pain. And pain demands our attention.

The message becomes more urgent and prominent, like a loud shout through a megaphone.

Pain awakens and forces us to pay attention to important lessons or truths in life, especially in a world that might seem indifferent.

• Jackson Browne addresses this pain in his song regarding his relationships and lifestyle;

• The Running On Empty movie draws parallels with crucial life decisions and their subsequent consequences;

• Dr. Webb traces the root causes back to our childhood, where a lot of the pains begin.

The ancient Persian poet, scholar, and theologian Rumi’s offers a wisdom that echoes through the years:

Wrapping Up

In times of pain, feeling adrift at sea, or uncertainty, perhaps reflecting on these 3 questions can help us discover our spark again:

• Who is your fuel?

• What is your fuel?

• Where is it leading you?

Recommended Reading

Running On Empty No More: Transform Your Relationships With Your Partner, Your Parents, and Your Children: Jonice Webb, PHD.

Motivation:

Les Brown speaks on the importance of training the mind - a crucial Fuel component of our lives.

Find Your Fuel - there is still some ways to go yet.

Till next time.😃 

Jude

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