“Prosperity depends more on wanting what you have than having what you want.” -Geoffrey F. Abert
No matter what you have, you can always identify something that is lacking. If you have a great relationship, you might ascertain that you’ve lost touch with a hobby you once loved. If you earn plenty of money, you can probably identify tons of people who earn more–and with less effort than you expel.
It’s just not possible to feel like you have it all because you can’t possibly have everything at once. And no matter how much you gain, there will always be someone else who appears to have more.
When you get caught up in the endless, aching cycle of wanting and comparing, nothing ever feels like enough–and as a result, nothing provides the joy you previously imagined it would. Every gain is a hollow satisfaction when you see it in the context of everything that’s left to be had.
Perhaps the key to feeling prosperous is seeing what’s in front of you solely for what it is. It’s not always easy to do. When you have a moment with someone you love, you may drift into fantasies of an even greater adventure. When you have an hour off, it’s tempting to wish you had a whole day.
But then those moments and hours fade away, and you’re left with the same choice in new moments and hours.
Time eventually runs out. We can either appreciate and enjoy what’s in front of us, or stress about how inadequate it is, but we can’t ever do both at once. Which do you choose today?
Photo by aaron.bihari
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people honor their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine.