thoughts

I guess I am naturally philisophical. I commute about 40 mintues each way for work, and a lot of times I shut off the radio and just listen to the motor and think.

I think about how much money I don't make, and how I can get more. I always find myself wanting more. Fact is, I am probably never going to get half the things I dream about. It's also true that half the thing I want really aren't important.

I only want these things because I forget to appreciate what I already have. For one thing, I am really healthy and I'm a very hard worker. I know that I am an asset at work, and I have made some good friends there too. In my trade, I get to help people with there automotive woes. I do as good a job for them as I can, so it's safe to say my job is rewarding.
When I get home at night... sore, tired, and hungry, my wife has dinner ready, and greets me with a hug and a kiss... every single day.

There is no better feeling than knowing you put in as much as you can. Pride alone is more important than sub-woofers, new cars, or an extra couple dollars on a pay check.

It turns out I have everything that is important... truley important. Do you have what you need? I guess it's not about wanting what you don't have, so much as wanting what you've already got.... or maybe I need less commute time??

But that's the trick, isn't it? Not wanting anything more than what you've got. But its human nature to always want more. 99% of humans cannot satisfy this condition. The economic definition of scarcity is 'resources are limited to unlimited human wants'. Everyone is not happy with where they are at now. They may say they are happy, but if they were TRULY happy, they wouldn't want anything else EVER.

If you gave someone the condition -
If you were truly happy with your place in the universe, then you would be ok with your life never changing for the rest of your life. That means the same job, same pay, same vehicle, same everything. Status Quo.
But that's just me.
In contrast, some say monks condition themselves in their lifetimes to get rid of all their earthly wants and desires. As far as that being true, I don't know, but its something to ponder.

What about someone who actually is happier for "stuff" then the "important things in life", should he not get "stuff" instead?

That person could spend their entire lifetime acquiring 'stuff' to make them happy. But will they ever get to the point where they are satisfied with the stuff they have? Or will they have to constantly get more stuff to keep the same level of happiness?

I think that is what the topic is about, being happy with what you have. If you're not happy with what you have, then you'll want more stuff. I think every human being will always want more, but we can't ever have it all, so we have to settle.

wanting things you don't have,
also known as desires,
sometimes expressed as dreams and ambitions.

simple "wanting" is the basic human element that has made us move forward in the way we have, no matter whether each step is ultimately good/bad.

What is soemone wants nothing? Like, there's a lot I want. Like, I'd like a trillion dollars. Duh...but in the not so techncial sense, what if someone wants nothing.

Is it nirvana, pure happiness?Is it possible and do you think anyone truly has it or is close?

happy isn't the same as content.
lack of desire doesn't equate to contentment or happiness.

yes, you can equate all three depending on your own p.o.v but they don't equate to each other.

That person could spend their entire lifetime acquiring 'stuff' to make them happy. But will they ever get to the point where they are satisfied with the stuff they have? Or will they have to constantly get more stuff to keep the same level of happiness?

I think that is what the topic is about, being happy with what you have. If you're not happy with what you have, then you'll want more stuff. I think every human being will always want more, but we can't ever have it all, so we have to settle.

But what if they enjoy getting stuff, not particulary owning stuff, shouldn't he get more stuff then if that makes him happy?

advancing forward... is that really what we've done? maybe in the sence of time, but I don't feel like our need for material has done us any real good.

about those monks... I wouldnt be so quick to look at them as an example of what is is to live without wants... young monks aspire to be like the elders I'm sure. they "want" the admiration, or high regard, at some level.

everyone wants something, and it's probably likely that will never stop... i'm only saying it has to be controlled by thinking every once in a while... "hey, I won't let material goods dictate my happiness"

it's already out of control. what we want, who we want... we're insane.

happy isn't the same as content.
lack of desire doesn't equate to contentment or happiness.

yes, you can equate all three depending on your own p.o.v but they don't equate to each other.

you didn't answer me though...

i never said they were content. they were happy with what they had and wanted nothing.

and i never even came close to coming off on lack want of equals happiness.

well, that's situational and purely based on the individual in question.
It is hard to actual realise this situation without adding detail to the situation (lifestyle, work status, income etc etc).
I'm not sure why you're asking me but if someone wanted nothing, then well, so what? To each their own. It's just the basic premise of the original post that people have unneccesary desires is well, narrow sighted and like all things like this, can be polarised to mean whatever you want; as I showed by taking desire to be the reason for human progression.

Hi I am new to this forum but find this discussion very interesting.

Can we manifest our thoughts into things? The movie, The Secret, seem to suggest so. It goes, Ask, Believe and Receive. One of the "masters" in it, Bob Proctor, talked more about this principle in a recent interview http://www.abundancemanifesting.com/freereport/

What do you think?

Yippieyaa

I've realized it is almost impossible to not want things. Brains are a little bit fucked up that way.
The other day, i went out to get myself some tires, but the place i go to had closed. After that I stopped by a Canadian Tire to look around, and saw a lot of things I wanted to get. I could really use a lot of tools, seeing as Im in the auto repair industry, but I dont really really need them, I just want to have them in case... otherwise I can use what is in our shop at Ford.
I got miserable... feeling bored... and thats why I wanted to buy stuff. It's childish, and I feel guilty about it....... well, I have a wedding to save for. That is more of a need, but somehow, it isn't as gratifying as a new brake flaring kit... thats a little fucked up eh?

Anyways... our wants seem like a beast that we can barely control.

(March 14th 2007)....pride alone is more important than sub-woofers...

(May 12th 2007)as a note, i did get a 600 watt pioneer sub that happens to now pound quite pleasently in my cutlass... the beast won that round

I got about a few posts into this thread, and I had to ask something. Suppose someone is content with the "stuff" they already have, but want things that are "intangible?" or dare I say it "highly improbable?"

The reason I bring this question up is because most of my life I've been in and out of doctor offices, emergency room visits, surgery, etc, and although I will admit there's a lot of "Stuff" I'd like to have, it's not as important as the things that I REALLY want. I.e. my migraines to go away, my eye problems to cease, finding a suitable female companion, etc. Things of that nature.

I could care less about making 6, 7 or 8 figure salaries. It'd be nice for sure, but it's not what I care for. The main things I already have in my life. My family (including a 5 yr old niece who adores me to no end), my friends, and my health (whatever is left of it). I have food, shelter, and get the medicine I need (when I can get it). The "stuff" sure is nice, but it doesn't satisfy the real hunger, the true thirst, etc.

I'm just curious if that was just me, or has anyone else felt like this? i.e. Having medical problems all your life long and have wanted nothing more than to be "better" physically/mentally than financially?

Just curious!