I had a revelation.
When Kari and I were on our drive I was thinking about my current emotional state. I am obviously worried about the trial and the outcome, but beyond that money and bills and expenses have got me all wrapped up. One of the things I thought about is just how much I/We take for granted what we already have. I mean truly what do we need.
Last night we watched 30 days. This show hosted by Morton Turlock who originally came out with the movie 'Supersize Me' about spending 30 days eating three meals a day at McDonalds and the health effects of that lifestyle follows people put into dissimilar situations and how they react to that situation. Does a KKK member begin to appreciate black people by living with a black family for 30 days? Does an Aetheist convert to Christianity after living with a family for 30 days? In this case Morton volunteered to be put in a federal prison for 30 days, living one of the most scariest situations you could ever live, and in this situation the state gave him what he needed. A roof over is head, clothes, and food.
I have what I need. Subsequently, an experience like Morton's really emphasizes the thinks we really want. He didn't worry about his bills while in prison (partially of course because he was getting paid to be there), he didn't want for his car, he didn't want for better clothes, more gadgets, more toys. He wanted, of course, for the love of his fiance and his family, and the freedom that we all hold so precious. Not the freedom of what we perceivably think great wealth will be, but the freedom to walk down the street, smell fresh air, watch the trees blow in the afternoon breeze, and feel the sun on his face.
So back to my revelation, basically, I thought about the fact that desires may need to be broken down into 3 categories. Needs, Wants, and Wishes.
Needs are very simple, we need to have food (not as much or expensive as we usually think), a place to live (arguable need at best), and socially it's preferred we have some sort of garment on (depends on where you live :)).
Wants are Love, Freedom, and recognition of social achievement that are generally shown by increasing the perceived value of those basic needs, food, shelter, and clothes.
And finally there are our Wishes, who could begin to categorize what may go in this column. Increased Freedom, distractions, entertainment, are the general wishes. Not to say obtaining and enjoying things in this category are bad or go against civilization. The point of this is I spend a lot of time in this category being frustrated, upset, or worried. My wishes have become my overwhelming concern when they should be an area of hope and enthusiasm.
I think it's because I have had the great fortune to achieve so many things in this column. Once you achieve many of them the wish to have more continues. Satisfaction, becomes harder to obtain. It's like a drug, once you get to that norm and you have adjusted to it, this is just the way it is and this way of life feels more like what you need than what you want. Therefore when threatened with something that might take it away it becomes an area of stress.
This vicious cycle must end for me. I need to look at my life a little more like; "Well right now I am able to afford many of my wishes, if somebody, or something causes them to go away what have I really lost? Nothing, I have only gained the opportunity to discover and obtain new wishes in life."
Last night we watched 30 days. This show hosted by Morton Turlock who originally came out with the movie 'Supersize Me' about spending 30 days eating three meals a day at McDonalds and the health effects of that lifestyle follows people put into dissimilar situations and how they react to that situation. Does a KKK member begin to appreciate black people by living with a black family for 30 days? Does an Aetheist convert to Christianity after living with a family for 30 days? In this case Morton volunteered to be put in a federal prison for 30 days, living one of the most scariest situations you could ever live, and in this situation the state gave him what he needed. A roof over is head, clothes, and food.
I have what I need. Subsequently, an experience like Morton's really emphasizes the thinks we really want. He didn't worry about his bills while in prison (partially of course because he was getting paid to be there), he didn't want for his car, he didn't want for better clothes, more gadgets, more toys. He wanted, of course, for the love of his fiance and his family, and the freedom that we all hold so precious. Not the freedom of what we perceivably think great wealth will be, but the freedom to walk down the street, smell fresh air, watch the trees blow in the afternoon breeze, and feel the sun on his face.
So back to my revelation, basically, I thought about the fact that desires may need to be broken down into 3 categories. Needs, Wants, and Wishes.
Needs are very simple, we need to have food (not as much or expensive as we usually think), a place to live (arguable need at best), and socially it's preferred we have some sort of garment on (depends on where you live :)).
Wants are Love, Freedom, and recognition of social achievement that are generally shown by increasing the perceived value of those basic needs, food, shelter, and clothes.
And finally there are our Wishes, who could begin to categorize what may go in this column. Increased Freedom, distractions, entertainment, are the general wishes. Not to say obtaining and enjoying things in this category are bad or go against civilization. The point of this is I spend a lot of time in this category being frustrated, upset, or worried. My wishes have become my overwhelming concern when they should be an area of hope and enthusiasm.
I think it's because I have had the great fortune to achieve so many things in this column. Once you achieve many of them the wish to have more continues. Satisfaction, becomes harder to obtain. It's like a drug, once you get to that norm and you have adjusted to it, this is just the way it is and this way of life feels more like what you need than what you want. Therefore when threatened with something that might take it away it becomes an area of stress.
This vicious cycle must end for me. I need to look at my life a little more like; "Well right now I am able to afford many of my wishes, if somebody, or something causes them to go away what have I really lost? Nothing, I have only gained the opportunity to discover and obtain new wishes in life."
posted by Cemseller at 9:39 AM
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