If you take a closer look at the nature of us humans, you will see how we are always searching for something, even if we may not know what exactly is it that we are searching for. We are always trying to find ways in which we could make our lives easier, faster, better, and more advanced. But then why are we still so unhappy?
We just simply can't be content with what we have, but instead are driven to always want for more. As soon as one of our wants is fulfilled, we jump to the next one. There's a 'fire' inside of us that drives us to go further and beyond in search for greatness, but this same 'fire' is somehow also the reason of our eternal misery and feelings of dissatisfaction.
This 'fire', though being the very foundation of our being, the base of our creative abilities, and the reason of our countless achievements, is in some way also the cause why we never truly experience contentment and satisfaction and are so insatiable. The very thing about us that makes us different from other species, also makes us feel disconnected.
It's bizarre how the same qualities that make us go to the moon, explore the deepest of the oceans, make the greatest of discoveries, and invent the greatest of inventions, are also what makes us and keeps us perpetually dissatisfied and unhappy. But why is it that way? Why can't we ever be content?
A Survival Strategy?
If you think about it, it kinda makes sense. Since the beginning of the evolution of our species, beings who had more resources, survived longer, lived better, and well... didn't die. So it makes sense to want to always have more because the more the resources, the more the chances of survival.
We have convinced ourselves that the more you have, the better it is. It may very well be the case when it comes to things like love or knowledge, but is a whole different story when it comes to craving for materialistic things and experiences.
In the world of today, even if our lives are much more convenient, safer and easier than ever, and there's no real need to keep gathering more, we still would rather want to have more than we actually need.
If that's true, doesn't that make greed a major part of our existence? Doesn't that make us eternally greedy beings? It sounds pessimistic, I know, but it's reality. When it comes to exploitation of something for selfish purposes, we humans are pretty much masters.
The Problem With Always Wanting More
After reading the above, you might be wondering why is it that wanting more is a problem even though it is natural to do so? We've seen how it can be a blessing as it makes us push ourselves forward and transcend boundaries, but in some way, it's also a curse. A curse of existential dissatisfaction.
Think about it. We are so drowned in consumption that we desire for more of almost everything that we already have, and wish to have everything that we don't. We can't help but ponder over the experience that we are missing out on if we don't long for the new.
But by doing this, we are disabling ourselves from enjoying the present moment and instead making ourselves live in the thought of the future when we acquire what we want. Ask yourself, is what all you have right now, enough to live a happy life?
The answer is probably no. Right after you read the question, you could instantly and easily think of countless number of things that if you had, would bring you more happiness — or so you think. The craving for wanting more, though having it's own charms, comes with a price. A price that we all are very well aware of.
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