"Desire is a Beautiful Thing"

Today I was completely inspired by a dear friend's facebook status update, it goes like this:

"A main 'Criterion of Consciousness' for the human experience is never having all you want. For as one dream comes true, another swiftly takes its place. Not having all you want is one of life's constants.

And learning to be happy while not yet having all you want is the first 'Criterion of Joy.' Nail it, and for the rest of your life people will be asking what it is about you.

Desire is a beautiful thing."

When I look at she and her family, I see perfection in every way.  They are humble, giving, joy filled, fit, loving partners and parents...and they truly embody the words love and complete in every sense.

So, when she posted the above piece on not having it all and seeking a life that is not reminiscent of  getting everything you want...I stood again in amazement.

We're such tricky creatures.  We know in our hearts that we can't have it all.  We just can't.  We also know that when we splurge and claim that if we just have that car, trip, shoes, gadget that we'll be good to go and won't need another thing...that we're lying to ourselves.  And yet, we're human...and it's natural to crave, to want, to seek, to possess.

But let's just be clear about it.  When we do obtain the thing, it can not be to bring sustained joy.  It may provide fleeting awe, wonder, comfort...but soon, probably faster than we imagined, we will be on to the next thing.

Not having it all is a good thing.  It teaches us discipline, self sacrifice, control and it hones us...making us aware of what brings us sustained and measured wholeness and truth.  It's really not that hard to internalize.  It's just challenging to live because at the heart of it...we always want what we can't and maybe shouldn't have.