The feeling that something is always missing

One of the most interesting aspects of our nature is the constant feeling that something is missing. “Only if I had that thing, or that person…”.

Even the most powerful person in the world back in the day, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, noticed this tendency. In his own words:

“To my soul:

Are you ever going to achieve goodness? Ever going to be simple, whole, and naked – as plain to see as the body that contains you? Know what an affectionate and loving disposition would feel like? Ever be fulfilled, ever stop desiring – lusting and longing for people and things to enjoy? Of for more time to enjoy them? Or for some other place or country – ‘a more temperate clime’? Or for people easier to get along with? And instead be satisfied with what you have, and accept the present – all of it.

And convince yourself that everything is the gift of the gods, that things are good and always will be, whatever they decide and have in store for the preservation of that perfect entity – good and just and beautiful, creating all things, connecting and embracing them, and gathering in their separated fragments to create more like them.”  Marcus Aurelius, Meditations.

We all have desires and can get stuck in the confusion of trying to fill our true human needs – for love, legacy, relationships – with superficial material goods.

One way to change this dynamic is to start paying attention to our desire. Why do you want to buy that new thing (an expensive car, purse, piece of clothing)?

What are you trying to fulfill? What’s the true need, deep inside you? How can you fulfill this need on a Human to Human level, without spending 1 cent?

#meditations #desires #virtues