Will you ever be happy with what you've got?

Question

Do you think its true that no matter how much you have in life you will always want what the other man/woman has got?

In my experience if you do get it its usually not all you thought it would be and your still not satisfied.

Anyone else had any similar experiences? Why do you think this is?

Answer 1

I am happy with what I have and I can't feel envious of anyone I know. I have had twinges of envy in the past concerning certain people, but each time, on getting to know more about them, I discovered that there were things in their life which I really would not have wanted to undergo myself: areas of sadness which they were resolutely covering up, or enormous problems which they were having to confront. Get below the surface and there is invariably something. Once you discover this over and over again you realise the sheer futility of feeling envious or covetous.

Answer 2

It's a mental process people go through I think. Where I am now in my life, my needs are simple and I hope to keep it that way. All I really want other than being able to pay my utility bills and monthly living expenses is to be able to put a couple dollars away each month and have the freedom to go pick up a small treat for myself once in awhile. When I was younger, I wanted the expensive car, big fancy home...all that garbage. But as I got older I realized that they were just "things" to clutter my life. As I stand now, my home is paid off, I have no car payments and other than living expenses, I'm pretty much in the clear. The liberation is amazing.

I learned that the more one owns, the more one has to worry over and keep track of. Materialism is such a waste of energy.

Answer 3

In some ways, I don't think it's a bad thing. You did not clarify exactly what 'what you've got' entails, so if you think of it in a broader spectrum, you should always be striving to do more, do better, etc. or your life would become stagnate. Whether you are talking about your career, home, family life, friends, etc. I think most goal oriented people always want more. Of course, you are always going to have the selfish lot who just want better cars and more clothes, but in some ways, it could turn out positive if they have to work harder and get better at their careers to obtain these things. Kind of a loaded question, I guess. Not sure there is an easy answer.

Answer 4

It is natural for the human to want to achieve more, and have more. We are wired that way. The kicker is when we get something we have not earned. When that happens we don't appreciate it, and often discard it. If you struggle and save to get something, you will often carefully consider how you spend your money. If you buy something on credit, you often have buyers remorse and wish you did not have to pay for something that you don't like. We often throw these things away leading to more waste.

Delayed gratification is the key. Work and save, then when you have enough to pay cash you will think twice and have to decide if you really want that item, or would you rather save some more and get something better that you really want. If you have to pay cash in full for every purchase you make, you will make wiser decisions, and will take better care of your belongings. This is why when you study history, or even watch old movies you will see a child or even adults taking care of old and tattered possessions. It took a long time and sacrifice to obtain things.

James

Answer 5

Old cow always want to eat young grass. The other grass is always greener. These are random acts or wishes influence by your egoistic desire. Sometimes it is the perverse desire even by a living single cell. The sperm reach the egg first wins. Why is it my ugly neighbor won the lottery? I got to have a BMW, a LEXUS suv, the largest american Explorer, the latest Land Rover and Jaguar with all the ammenities. These are just fleeting moments scanning channels of your brain.

Answer 6

I can honestly say if I won a million dollars that I would look for ways to enrich others lives with this money. I would donate it to food banks, children's charities and start a scholarship for the underprivileged. There is nothing I could possibly want in this world that I don't have. Life to me is not about monetary gains but on the spiritual ones and I want to be altruistic in my actions.

Answer 7

I don't think that is true at all. I have everything I need and want and I'm very happy. I have an amazing husband, who loves me more than anything in the world, we have a home and a family. We have our basic needs covered, everything else is just stuff.

Answer 8

Its the challenge of life, always stiving to be better! There is no end till you are six feet under in a box. Otherwise how interesting would life be if there was no change?

Answer 9

Try reading the teachings of Seneca. He tells us that the way to misery is through desire and to rid ourselves of our trinkets and unnecessary items. Not very practical these days admittedly, unless you're Grizzly Addams, but worth a read anyway.

Answer 10

It goes back to the caveman days (sorry Geico), and its only natural to want more and even sometimes to compete. Some more than others, but its human nature to always want to improve your current status or situation.