Wanting is such a tiring and unproductive sport
I don’t know why anyone engages in it at all . . .
I don’t know why I did.
When I was young
there seemed to be a lot of bright and shiny things around
and I wanted to line my nest with them,
crow that I was.
Everything was new and tantalizing . . .
delicious,
enticing me from one thing to the next–
I couldn’t get enough.
Even my search for God became frenetic . . .
I’d read one book,
then another,
and another . . .
looking for the Truth.
I read so many perspectives
that my head would spin,
and I couldn’t find a resting place anywhere.
All of that striving
wore me out.
What resonated with me,
finally,
was that I realized
that there are many paths to the Divine,
and this Truth eased my mind
that I wasn’t going to hell,
which I was no longer believing in very much.
Organized religion had its perks,
but wasn’t for me.
I’m still learning,
but I’m not running anymore . . .
the Universe is right here in my own back yard.
One time, I told my Mamaw that I didn’t believe in the devil, and she told me that I needed to read the Bible. I was in college then, and she gave me a beautiful leather-bound bible with my name engraved on it when I graduated 😆 But by then, I had begun to learn that all I was seeking was already right here… in my own back yard, and also in my own heart ❤️ I wasn’t really sure I believed it, but something was nudging me. It took a while to truly set it in – like you, reading book after book seeking the Truth – but it finally dug deeper than what others had worked so hard placing into my belief system. I am forever grateful for that.
The challenge like many have said is to find your own unique balance. At this stage in my life, i am not seeking more, better or different of material things. I do seek to continue growing and learning, finding great connection in relationships and finding my unique joy in life.
I recognize how much I’m grasping for a certain outcome, how resistant I am to my present moment, and how much tension I hold in my body. I feel like a clenched fist. Once I loosen my grip, I feel more at ease, relaxed calm.
I heard this in a Life Ring secular, empowering your sober self, meeting today ; “The addiction is still there, but is not destroying my life.” A participant. I feel the same way.
I think the distinction here is: Do I already have enough? Am I content, do I have my basic needs met, am I nourished? If so, I would need to be cautious about seeking more out of a sense of emptiness or shame (“I can never have enough”), or out of a desire for status, a compulsion to acquire, or to outdo others. If, however, I truly need more of something–I do not have enough to eat, for example; I am too alone, etc, I will go seek more food, more community.
What is enough is a balance, a sense of fullness, satisfaction, abundance. If I have more than enough, I can and should share. If I need more, I can and should ask for help, or seek more. The assumption in this question leads to an easy conclusion that “everything is enough” and I think that can be construed to be true … but it also ignores the necessary sharing of resources, of community supporting each other to survive and thrive.
What a powerful post,
dear Drea,
reinforcing the concept
that we are all here for each other,
whether we acknowledge it or not.
Thank you for your perspective. ♥
I think it is quite common/natural for people to seek to optimize their potential opportunity, and, moreover, that the process of seeking (more, better, or different) opportunity is not inherently negative or harmful. Choosing to stop seeking something (more, better, or different) likely involved a conscious, self-aware, but possibly not, evaluation. So, I think you might learn more about you, and/or better understand what matters to you, when you stop seeking something (more, better, or different).
Johann, Ngoc sent me the Soothing Pod meditation App years ago. When I meditated this morning, the exercise for the day centered around courage. The lady said that we’re nothing without courage.
Until I accept “what is,” I can’t even hope for something more, better, or different. As the character, Colonel Potter, told his doctors and nurses on the series Mash at Christmas time, “If you ain’t where you’re at, you’re no where.” Potter was asking them to be present and celebrate in spite of their circumstance. I think that’s why so much of scripture speaks of “having eyes to see and ears to hear.” If I spend all my time seeking instead of seeing, I miss the freedom and gift of NOW. As an elderly person, I must admit I spent way to much time seeking instead of seeing, of doing instead of being present to my children, my husband, my friends.
When I stop the material gathering, I appreciate what I have. When I stop the being in charge, I connect with others.
But I do seek something more, better, and different in my physical and spiritual life. For me, it is the only way to grow and improve. I don’t want to be stuck in those areas.
Yram, I’m with you on the desire to be in-charge rooted in my basic desire for autonomy. Power and autonomy go together. We’re not built to go alone. Autonomy and connection clash. Can’t have it both ways. I’m working on controlling my basic desire for autonomy to prevent pulling strings as mentioned before on various answers to different questions. It’s not easy but possible. It’s a life long process. I grew up in the west.
In western cultures, we were taught to be independent from a young age. Asian cultures value intimacy. The 2Is don’t play nicely. The biggest dark side I see with independence is loneliness. All that freedom is fun, but it’s high risk high reward.
I’m already satisfied and comfortable within my own skin. I just can’t see myself being a seeker. In fact, I already have a lot of ambition already inside of me. I just allow everything to happen naturally. The desire for challenges to prove my values is already there. I just enjoy the easy moments and welcome the challenges as they come. I find that the more I seek, the more I take on challenges beyond my capability. That’s a dangerous and beyond a losing game.
Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness. . . . . Lao Tzu. Cessation of seeking allows for acceptance, gratefulness and presence for what is. Peace love and may you have enough.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
I got off the hamster wheel.
Wanting is such a tiring and unproductive sport
I don’t know why anyone engages in it at all . . .
I don’t know why I did.
When I was young
there seemed to be a lot of bright and shiny things around
and I wanted to line my nest with them,
crow that I was.
Everything was new and tantalizing . . .
delicious,
enticing me from one thing to the next–
I couldn’t get enough.
Even my search for God became frenetic . . .
I’d read one book,
then another,
and another . . .
looking for the Truth.
I read so many perspectives
that my head would spin,
and I couldn’t find a resting place anywhere.
All of that striving
wore me out.
What resonated with me,
finally,
was that I realized
that there are many paths to the Divine,
and this Truth eased my mind
that I wasn’t going to hell,
which I was no longer believing in very much.
Organized religion had its perks,
but wasn’t for me.
I’m still learning,
but I’m not running anymore . . .
the Universe is right here in my own back yard.
All I have to do
is open my heart to it.
One time, I told my Mamaw that I didn’t believe in the devil, and she told me that I needed to read the Bible. I was in college then, and she gave me a beautiful leather-bound bible with my name engraved on it when I graduated 😆 But by then, I had begun to learn that all I was seeking was already right here… in my own back yard, and also in my own heart ❤️ I wasn’t really sure I believed it, but something was nudging me. It took a while to truly set it in – like you, reading book after book seeking the Truth – but it finally dug deeper than what others had worked so hard placing into my belief system. I am forever grateful for that.
I am grateful for this too,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
for me
and for yoiu. ♥
I start to see why my mind malfunctions how it does
The stories my ego tries to tell me
The stories of the ego. They can be tough.
. . . real tough,
dear Johann.
I think you really want change in your life.
If I can do it,
you can too. ♥
The challenge like many have said is to find your own unique balance. At this stage in my life, i am not seeking more, better or different of material things. I do seek to continue growing and learning, finding great connection in relationships and finding my unique joy in life.
Bless You thanks
I recognize how much I’m grasping for a certain outcome, how resistant I am to my present moment, and how much tension I hold in my body. I feel like a clenched fist. Once I loosen my grip, I feel more at ease, relaxed calm.
I start to see how my plight is entirely of my own doing
Or undoing, rather
No one can fix me, not sure if God can even help at this point
An alcoholic of the worst demonic insanity you don’t wanna picture
I heard this in a Life Ring secular, empowering your sober self, meeting today ; “The addiction is still there, but is not destroying my life.” A participant. I feel the same way.
The Universe
wants you to be whole,
dear Johann. ♥
I think the distinction here is: Do I already have enough? Am I content, do I have my basic needs met, am I nourished? If so, I would need to be cautious about seeking more out of a sense of emptiness or shame (“I can never have enough”), or out of a desire for status, a compulsion to acquire, or to outdo others. If, however, I truly need more of something–I do not have enough to eat, for example; I am too alone, etc, I will go seek more food, more community.
What is enough is a balance, a sense of fullness, satisfaction, abundance. If I have more than enough, I can and should share. If I need more, I can and should ask for help, or seek more. The assumption in this question leads to an easy conclusion that “everything is enough” and I think that can be construed to be true … but it also ignores the necessary sharing of resources, of community supporting each other to survive and thrive.
What a powerful post,
dear Drea,
reinforcing the concept
that we are all here for each other,
whether we acknowledge it or not.
Thank you for your perspective. ♥
Thank you Sparrow.
I think it is quite common/natural for people to seek to optimize their potential opportunity, and, moreover, that the process of seeking (more, better, or different) opportunity is not inherently negative or harmful. Choosing to stop seeking something (more, better, or different) likely involved a conscious, self-aware, but possibly not, evaluation. So, I think you might learn more about you, and/or better understand what matters to you, when you stop seeking something (more, better, or different).
Well put Brian, I was thinking the same thing, that seeking more/better/different is not inherently harmful, it’s how you go about it.
I realize how badly I need to meditate
Johann, Ngoc sent me the Soothing Pod meditation App years ago. When I meditated this morning, the exercise for the day centered around courage. The lady said that we’re nothing without courage.
Until I accept “what is,” I can’t even hope for something more, better, or different. As the character, Colonel Potter, told his doctors and nurses on the series Mash at Christmas time, “If you ain’t where you’re at, you’re no where.” Potter was asking them to be present and celebrate in spite of their circumstance. I think that’s why so much of scripture speaks of “having eyes to see and ears to hear.” If I spend all my time seeking instead of seeing, I miss the freedom and gift of NOW. As an elderly person, I must admit I spent way to much time seeking instead of seeing, of doing instead of being present to my children, my husband, my friends.
Carol Ann, as far as accepting the what is, I’m all too familiar with the cookie saying. “It’s not how the cookie crumbles.”
When I stop the material gathering, I appreciate what I have. When I stop the being in charge, I connect with others.
But I do seek something more, better, and different in my physical and spiritual life. For me, it is the only way to grow and improve. I don’t want to be stuck in those areas.
Yram, I’m with you on the desire to be in-charge rooted in my basic desire for autonomy. Power and autonomy go together. We’re not built to go alone. Autonomy and connection clash. Can’t have it both ways. I’m working on controlling my basic desire for autonomy to prevent pulling strings as mentioned before on various answers to different questions. It’s not easy but possible. It’s a life long process. I grew up in the west.
In western cultures, we were taught to be independent from a young age. Asian cultures value intimacy. The 2Is don’t play nicely. The biggest dark side I see with independence is loneliness. All that freedom is fun, but it’s high risk high reward.
I’m already satisfied and comfortable within my own skin. I just can’t see myself being a seeker. In fact, I already have a lot of ambition already inside of me. I just allow everything to happen naturally. The desire for challenges to prove my values is already there. I just enjoy the easy moments and welcome the challenges as they come. I find that the more I seek, the more I take on challenges beyond my capability. That’s a dangerous and beyond a losing game.
I find peace in the now and appreciation for where I am at on my path.
Love it, Sunnypatti. There’s nothing better than the feeling of satisfaction. We only have one life to live, and every moment matters.
I’m ok finding peace within myself when I stop seeking something more,better, or different. Our uniqueness is ours.
I come home to myself.
Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness. . . . . Lao Tzu. Cessation of seeking allows for acceptance, gratefulness and presence for what is. Peace love and may you have enough.
Contentment
is the absence of striving for more . . .
sparrow
and yes,
dear Joseph,
I have enough. ♥
Joseph, Amen.