It’s not that I don’t want those things, it’s simply that I don’t need them to be happy. Wouldn’t you rather be grateful for what you have, no matter how little, than be constantly chasing something you may never receive?
I really gotta stop posting tik toks about money… This time, the comments led to a lot of thoughts on my level of desire for money and other things. It’s amusing to me how some people just cannot fathom the ability to not desire wealth. They feel the only logical explanation for my claims is that I’m jealous and a hater. They believe I secretly crave money and fame because everyone does.
Stoicism and living my life has taught me a lot of important lessons. One lesson being the ability to curb desire and be happy with my present circumstances. I won’t lie to you, of course it would be wonderful to have enough money to never worry about anything ever again. I would love to be in a loving relationship with someone special. I’d be thrilled to have my own apartment, have friends all around me, and so many other things. But I don’t have all these things and that fact doesn’t steal my happiness.
I don’t sit and dwell on the fact that I don’t have the exact life I desire. My days aren’t me just fuming because I don’t have a girlfriend, millions of dollars, or my own business. I am happy where I am now because that’s a better feeling than desiring more. I have a lot to be grateful for right now even if it’s not exactly where I’d like to be.
This is the difference I think those commenters aren’t understanding. You can be happy where you are even if you’re not fully set and stable. People can be happy and be single. You can be perfectly proud working a 9-5 and saving a little money. It is possible and beneficial to look at your present state, accept it, and love it. If you desire more, work towards it, but never let it ruin your life in this moment.
You can choose to be happy right now with everything you have. That doesn’t mean you can’t desire more and work hard. It means you shouldn’t let those desires distract you from gratitude in the present moment.
January 30, 2023
