It’s human nature. I get it. But still, I think it leaves us (at least it leaves me) in a less than ideal state.
We want something. We want it bad. We focus on it, talk about it, bargain for it, and work for it. And then, miracle of miracles, we get it.
The joy hits us. The delight. We pump our fists in celebration and do a little dance. (Okay if you’re me…or my mother…you do a little dance.) We enjoy it…for about a minute.
And then we’re on to wanting something else.
What’s up with that?
A few weeks back I had two confirmations that I didn’t have cancer. Not that I thought I had cancer, but I had two somewhat routine annual tests to make sure I didn’t have cancer. And I didn’t. Needless to say, I was happy to get both phone calls. Thrilled and ecstatic, in fact.
You would think that those phone calls (or even just one of those phone calls) would be enough to sustain me for a week…at least. That nothing could bother me, weigh on me, or get me down. That I’d be psychically floating.
And I floated…for a while. And then something else happened, or some other thing got my attention, and the elated feeling was gone. The “all is well with the world” feeling dissipated. I wanted more, or at least something else.
Now, I’m working hard at being present and in the moment. At being up for and with whatever is happening. And you could argue that by moving on from the great news I had received, I was simply being mindful. You could also argue that everything is fleeting – good and bad – and that one has to let it all simply pass by.
You could argue both these things and I would agree. But I am also aiming for holding on to the wonderful and letting it color my mood and my day. I am cool with wanting more – there’s always more to want – as long as I don’t let it detract from the cool things I already have.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
