The word feeling has become so commonplace that we might have lost its true meaning, seriousness, and significance. Over time, I’ve come to realize that feeling is something that moves my heart — in its simplest form, it refers to an emotional state or reaction. To me, it particularly relates to relationships. However, often today, the word is misinterpreted as merely an idea or belief, especially in casual conversations about relationships — as a vague or irrational notion, as per the dictionary.
Sadly, the essence of feeling seems to have faded among the newer generation. For many, expressing feelings now happens through social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram — sharing status updates, selfies, and fleeting emotions that often serve more as a display of bravado than genuine sentiment. These mediums sometimes give individuals a false sense of heroism and courage, trivializing real emotions in the process.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a time where the importance of feeling was still understood. I am grateful to be away from the superficial impacts of social media’s influence — the oversimplification and dilution of true emotional connection. Conversations with younger friends often leave me both amused and saddened. They don’t seem to feel deeply for those who have nurtured them — their own families, elders, and loved ones. Instead, they invest emotional energy in fleeting relationships or superficial connections. It’s shocking to hear someone say, “I haven’t felt anything for her yet,” even after knowing someone only for a few months, yet they remain insensitive to the tears of their own sister, who has raised them with love and sacrifice.
How popular it has become to boast, “I don’t feel anything for her yet!” I proudly consider myself modern, family-oriented, and yes — a businessman. I am grateful that I was born before this shift in attitudes, which often make feeling seem insignificant.
If I had been born later, I might have fallen into the trap of fear — afraid of marriage, of building lifelong commitments, and perhaps even of the word feeling, dismissing it as something trivial. Today, I see feeling as invaluable. It’s not just the foundation of relationships; it shapes our entire human existence. Genuine feeling — caring deeply for someone — is a rare quality, and I am proud to possess that sensitivity.
I truly believe that technology and social media have not entirely corrupted this essential aspect of humanity. I am thankful to my parents and peers for nurturing my ability to empathize, to avoid envy, competition, or insecurity when seeing others succeed. Above all, I strive to respect the feelings of those around me — my loved ones, colleagues, and friends.
Feeling is a gift, and I am grateful to carry it within me.
