are we empty?

In this day and age it's easy to get consumed with this world and everything in it. As an individual we are constantly trying to find ourselves and to most Americans that means attempting to fill a hole either with drugs, alcohol, food, material objects, medication, or even sex.  Has our country always been this way or is this a new problem or has it simply been masked through past generations?  Is this similar to homosexuality where people have been experiencing it throughout history but just kept quiet or is this a recent problem?  Are we so consumed in technology and so busy that we can't self examine?

I'm half way fascinated by this issue, partly because I'm religious and believe in a higher power but partly because I consider myself to be a person that is always willing to learn more about anything.  I realize I am quite young and have little wisdom in this issue but it seems to me that we are always looking outside of ourselves for everything including self fulfillment.  Although that goes against natural logic it seems to be how we deal with these situations.  For example, a person struggling to find meaning in a marriage often looks outside the relationship for meaning though this makes little sense and usually ends up fatal for both parties.  Just as an alcoholic, junkie, or over eater begins the addiction because they feel good, then need more of that substance to feel that way, then consume more in order to cope with their addiction because they are unhappy about it.  We are constantly looking outside of the body and soul to fill a need that lies within.  Why is this such a popular practice?  Is it because it seems easier than looking inward and maybe recognizing some faults that are unattractive?  I think perhaps so.

I also believe we are so consumed with noise that we are unable to tune into much of what we should be listening to.  We watch so much television, text instead of call, and are constantly e-mailing that we are so dependent upon technology.  Please do not misunderstand me, I love all of those things but maybe if we all took a little time away from them and enjoyed silence we would be better off.

Many other cultures view the self as the beginning of all things, that by looking inward where GOD lives that we can feel whole and realize what needs to be changed in order for GOD to grow and us as individuals be compromised.  Maybe if we slow down and stop trying to keep up with the Jones family we will be able to hear our inner voice and less of those roaring out of our cell phone.