Depression, Fear and Relationships

For many of us, the greatest fear we have in life is that we don't really matter.

In this series of downloads, Rabbi Shmuley explores the foundations of this fear and how it can lead to depression, emotional pain, dysfunctional relationships, and even suicide. Shmuley believes that our modern, materialistic society pushes us to conform by seeking conventional success and its symbols tamp down our fear and to prove to the world that we matter. But this drive to succeed does nothing but fuel a life of depression and distance from others.

In Shmuley's view, the true meaning of life has nothing to do with cars, houses, careers, and all the material possessions we surround ourselves with. To truly live, we must embrace and move past our fear that we don't matter, trust in the fact that the precious gift of life holds meaning in and of itself, and go on to achieve true greatness. He holds up the most fearless among us as those who influenced our society most powerfully, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.