Ten Meme: Seven Wants
Jul. 29th, 2011 07:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
windinthemaplesDay Four of trying to post something and/or access LJ. Here goes!
So far, this has been the biggest mental challenge of the meme for me. I found something like 17 definitions for "want" in the dictionary ranging from wishes to deficiencies. My initial reaction, though, is that I want for nothing in my life. I would like to have more of some things--more financial security, more time, continued health--but I lack nothing vital. I have access to water, food, and shelter. I have loved ones and companionship. I am sound of mind and body.
Secondly, it occurs to me after a few days of thinking about the nature of 'wants' that if I really, sincerely wanted something I would be taking active steps to attain it. I'd be saving up or making compromises or planning my way to it. Saying "I want to win the lottery" but never buying tickets, for instance, is just me saying something would be nice and I wouldn't turn it down if it happened to me. "I want to be in better physical shape" without making a commitment to the diet and exercise it takes to achieve that is again, insincere. It seems lazy--like me making a grand order off the Universe's menu without being willing to go into the kitchen and cook it myself. Not a want but something I'd take and devour if someone else handed it to me, if it cost me nothing to have.
What does that leave me beyond those big, humanitarian wishes for other people, animals, or the world at large? Do those count as personal 'wants'? If so, doesn't everyone want those, by default, rendering this question entirely impersonal? Do I really need to tell you that I wish for world peace, environmental restoration, animal welfare, universal kindness and food for all? That's not something I'm lacking but something the entire world, as a whole, is lacking.
Maybe I've over-thought this--but I'm an unabashed air sign.
I don't have seven wants. I can't even think of one that meets my criteria. I have everything I need and I'm enormously grateful for it.
So far, this has been the biggest mental challenge of the meme for me. I found something like 17 definitions for "want" in the dictionary ranging from wishes to deficiencies. My initial reaction, though, is that I want for nothing in my life. I would like to have more of some things--more financial security, more time, continued health--but I lack nothing vital. I have access to water, food, and shelter. I have loved ones and companionship. I am sound of mind and body.
Secondly, it occurs to me after a few days of thinking about the nature of 'wants' that if I really, sincerely wanted something I would be taking active steps to attain it. I'd be saving up or making compromises or planning my way to it. Saying "I want to win the lottery" but never buying tickets, for instance, is just me saying something would be nice and I wouldn't turn it down if it happened to me. "I want to be in better physical shape" without making a commitment to the diet and exercise it takes to achieve that is again, insincere. It seems lazy--like me making a grand order off the Universe's menu without being willing to go into the kitchen and cook it myself. Not a want but something I'd take and devour if someone else handed it to me, if it cost me nothing to have.
What does that leave me beyond those big, humanitarian wishes for other people, animals, or the world at large? Do those count as personal 'wants'? If so, doesn't everyone want those, by default, rendering this question entirely impersonal? Do I really need to tell you that I wish for world peace, environmental restoration, animal welfare, universal kindness and food for all? That's not something I'm lacking but something the entire world, as a whole, is lacking.
Maybe I've over-thought this--but I'm an unabashed air sign.
I don't have seven wants. I can't even think of one that meets my criteria. I have everything I need and I'm enormously grateful for it.
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