We find ourselves constantly in pursuit of something more – a loving partner, adorable children, the allure of wealth, the comfort of a home. Yet, in this relentless chase, we often forget to pause and think: Why do these desires resonate so deeply within us? Is it a mere reflection of our lifelong dreams, or is there a more profound reason that these aspirations hold such sway over our hearts and minds?
We entered this world cradled in peace, yet as time's wheel turned, we were indoctrinated with a curious notion: to attain peace, one must fulfill their external wants and needs. This philosophy finds its roots in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a brainchild born from our collective yearning.
The Western world, in its feverish dream, has long cultivated an insatiable hunger for more. It's a siren call, luring us to borrow from the present, to empower ourselves to chase the future we envision in our most vivid dreams. We are led to believe that the key to rediscovering our lost peace lies in externalities – the love we yearn for, the familial bonds we crave, the wealth to dissolve our troubles.
Yet, this begs the question: Why do we seek external solutions for internal tranquility?
As children, simplicity reigned. Our needs were fundamental – nourishment, care, rest. In those tender years, even the absence of some needs didn't diminish our capacity for joy. Who among us hasn't seen a child, diaper full, yet utterly absorbed in play or slumber? When did the pursuit of money, relationships, and a myriad of other desires start eclipsing our life's joy? When did our inability to immediately fulfill our deepest desires begin casting such a long shadow over our happiness?
I recall days spent in coffee shops or restless in bed, haunted by the ghosts of unfulfilled wishes and paths not taken. In those moments, no action could bridge the gap between desire and reality, yet this chasm robbed me of my peace. My existence was a battleground, marred by depression, stress, and suffering.
The revelation came not in acquiring what I lacked but in understanding the significance I attached to these voids. It dawned on me that the absence of my desires didn't disrupt my peace; rather, it was the meaning I ascribed to this absence that was the true thief of serenity.
We all possess the innate ability to discover peace in the present. Viktor Frankl, along with other authors who have traversed through living hells, stand as testaments to this truth. The transformative query that altered my perspective was, "What am I gaining by not choosing peace in this moment?" The moment one unravels the truth behind this question, an awakening ensues.
Life's journey isn't about amassing external treasures. True fulfillment and peace are found within, in understanding and redefining our relationship with our desires and the meanings we attach to them. It's a journey inward, to the core of our being, where the serene waters of contentment and fulfillment reside, waiting to be discovered.
What if instead of saying, "Once everything falls into place, I'll find peace" we said, "Once I find my peace, everything will fall into place.”
