Thirsty
photograph by David Becker
By Dale Bially
“If you’re hungry, drink a glass of water because you’re probably just thirsty.”
I was given this advice about 20 years ago and, like most anecdotal pieces of advice, it drifts in and out of my consciousness. Sometimes I’ll try it and am surprised to realize I was actually thirsty not hungry.
As humans we have a hard time understanding the language of our bodies. We stay up late, even though our bodies tell us we’re tired. We push past inconvenient pain with medication. Some of us drink a glass of wine to cope with stress-filled days. In so many ways, we don’t really acknowledge or even explore these subtle, bodily cues.
The “glass of water advice” makes me think of times when I feel hungry. In my moments of hunger, what am I hungry for? Lately, I’ve decided to rename my recurring feelings of hunger as recurring feelings of emptiness. The question I’ve been asking myself is, “What is leaving me feeling empty?” Is it a lack of food, a lack of water, or something not so easily revealed? What if that empty feeling is a hunger for something more?
· A need for companionship?
· A need for solitude?
· A need for some fun?
· A need for a hug?
· A need for community?
· A need to be seen or heard?
· A need to connect to nature?
· A need to connect with a Higher Power?
As my good friend and mentor, David Walsh used to remind me, “Human beings are gifted with the faculty of free choice.” I know free choice is available to me but first I want to take time to be with that strange feeling of emptiness. In doing so, I may uncover what I truly need to feel fulfilled.
Dale Bially
has worked extensively with the enneagram in his professional and personal life since 1993. Using the wisdom of this ancient symbol, he meets with people one-on-one and leads workshops and retreats to help people start a journey to transform their relationships and lives.
Dale is part of the team at Inscapes Centre for Enneagram Studies and has also been an Instructor with Prairie Jubilee since 2010. Here he works with a wonderful team of leaders supporting and training spiritual directors and other seekers.
Read more about Dale here. Read more about his work with Inspired Enneagram here.
