T•I•R•E•D

Relaxing after a hectic day, I had one random thought that made me laugh. I was laying there and it just came to me, 

"I am what 'tired' is made of. If you tire pass me, your life don spoil". It felt like a good joke.

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T • I • R • E • D

What does it really mean to be tired?

For me, it is a word I have used too much over the years. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was not tired or exhausted. I even wake up tired on most days, and then force myself to exist.

At this point, it is safe to say my natural state is tiredness.

But truly, what does it mean to be tired?

I am not sure I know.

So let us find out.

The English word tired comes from Old English teorian, meaning to fail, to become weak, to lose strength.

It is also connected with old Germanic roots that describe draining out, growing weary, and running out of breath.

The word ayef comes from the Hebrew root ayaf which means to be weary, faint, worn out, and drained in strength.

In Scripture, it is used to describe people who are not only physically tired but also emotionally and spiritually empty.

It is the kind of tiredness that reaches the soul.

Travelers in the desert, warriors after battle, people who cried until their whole body felt hollow. That is the kind of tiredness the Hebrew text speaks of.

So in Hebrew, tired does not simply mean I need sleep.

It means my strength has poured out of me.

In Greek, the closest word is kopiaō which means to grow weary, feel fatigue, and work to the point of deep exhaustion.

There is also kamnō which means to be worn out by struggle or pressure.

The Greek idea is similar to the Hebrew one, but it focuses more on tiredness that comes from continuous effort or emotional strain.

So while the Hebrew ayef paints the picture of strength leaking out,

the Greek kopiaō paints the picture of strength being used up.

Dearest reader, when you say you are tired, are you ayaf, the Hebrew kind of tired, or are you kopiaō, the Greek kind of tired?

They are not the same.

For me, I feel like I am experiencing both today. It has been emotionally, physically, and mentally draining.

But on most days, it is just ayaf which I personally interpret as pure laziness mixed with a tired soul.

Anyways, how was your own day?

@favvy_Okwans🖤.