As humans, we constantly desire more—more money, a better home, a better job, and so on. In sociology, this feeling of wanting more can be attributed to social stratification, the categorization of people into groups based on socioeconomic factors such as wealth, income, race, education, ethnicity, gender, occupation, social status, or derived power (social and political). However, when we don’t get what we desire, we often feel dissatisfied, which can sometimes lead to depression and feelings of failure. In these moments, it’s crucial to remember that human needs are insatiable; the more we have, the more we seek. This is why economists advise us to distinguish between our needs and wants.
Despite this advice, many ignore the wisdom of living within our means. The saying “cutting our coat according to the cloth” reminds us to adapt our desires to our resources, many people still live beyond their means, leading to various negative consequences.
History is filled with great individuals who fell from grace due to their insatiable desires. One notable example is Napoleon Bonaparte, France’s greatest military leader. Napoleon is considered one of the world’s greatest military leaders, known for his successful campaigns and conquests. Success for him meant plundering the treasures of conquered territories, be it gold or silver. The more his troops amassed, the more his appetite grew to conquer and plunder further. However, Napoleon’s unending desire for more ultimately led to his downfall, as his failed campaigns in Spain and Russia resulted in his exile.
We might think that Bonaparte was too ambitious, but as humans, we often admire or thirst for what we don’t have instead of enjoying what we have. A mother in a local church recently shared a story about taking her kids and other church women to a park for relaxation. The park is fenced, providing safety for the children while the mothers relax and engage in adult conversations. However, there is an open field beyond the park’s walls leading to a busy road. One day, some older kids asked if they could play outside the protective walls. The mothers instinctively said no. The kids, feeling dejected, focused on what they were missing outside instead of enjoying the park’s facilities. They failed to appreciate what they had because they were fixated on what was denied.
Many of us are like these kids, believing the grass is greener on the other side. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the American politician and statesman, aptly said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Contentment doesn’t mean being indifferent to your circumstances; it means not being controlled by them. Contentment is about moving from anger to peace, frustration to satisfaction, and anxiety to trust. Besides avoiding comparison, practicing mindfulness by staying present in the moment, embracing simplicity, and keeping a gratitude journal can help prevent covetousness, as advised in the Ten Commandments: “Thou shall not covet.”
As humans, we should learn to set realistic goals and prioritize self-care to avoid torturing ourselves over what we lack while ignoring what we already have. Popular televangelist and author Joyce C. Meyer, in her book The Battle is in the Mind, opined that circumstances shouldn’t overwhelm us; instead, we should live contentedly in the promises of God.
Indeed, God has promised to always be with us. In Hebrews 13:5, the prophet assures us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Aspiring for more is not inherently bad. The key is to ensure our goals are realistic, so we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture in our pursuit of advancement. We should avoid becoming like Alexander the Great, who conquered the world but couldn’t conquer himself. As a popular saying goes: “The one who has conquered himself is a far greater hero than he who has defeated a thousand times a thousand men.”
Josephine Aro is a dedicated lifestyle writer with a passion for exploring and sharing insights on personal well-being, self-improvement, and mindful living. With a background in journalism and a keen interest in psychology and wellness, she crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers seeking a balanced and fulfilling life.
