Fighting the Wants
The last few weekends I’ve traveled with my husband, and if you’re like me, when you travel, you pick up and read lots of magazines.
I do love to read magazines to get ideas, be inspired, dream … see what’s “new.”
As long as I don’t get caught up in the “wants.”
We walk into Pier 1 or Home Goods or TJ Maxx … it’s fun to browse, but do the “wants” come over you?
They do me.
Just one more set of dishes, cloth napkins, new picture on the wall, outdoor furniture, new pillows … another white bowl … beautiful table cloths … runners …
The list goes on and on for me.
“You are in the prison cell of “wants” if you feel better when you have more and worse when you have less,” says Max Lucado (inspirational writer).
“If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink or digest, then face it–you are in prison, the prison of want.”
Many times I’ve filled my basket, only to remove most of what I’ve added because I ask myself, “Do I really need this?”
Learning to be content. I wrote about it, here.
Discontentment is really an ugly way to live.
I wish learning to be content was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it seems to be a lesson that we learn over and over again.
What will I have from being content and not always “wanting more?”A deeper marriage, more time with the family, valuing “who’s coming for dinner” over “how it all looks when they come for dinner,” joy and peace. And self-respect when I learn to say no.
It just feels good to have some sort of self-discipline.
Gratitude.
Contentment.
Do you have a hard time saying no to your wants, or how do you keep them under control?
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Even with thrift store items that are cheaper, I just get tired of having stuff.
I find it so much easier when I don’t expose myself to the “new things” at the mall. Thanks that you’ve shared.
Wow! I do struggle with this. Actually it’s more of a tug-of-war between want and not wanting to spend uselessly. And if I’m completely honest, I have an addiction to magazines. It’s only $4 and I buy it. I don’t need it and it feeds my wants. Such a great post and honest.
I have a hard time saying “no” to food wants…for sure. Non-food things are easier for me to decline…but “food” that is a want and not a need…that’s another story :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :) :) :)
I agree that contentment can be a constant battle for me, too. I find it so much easier when I don’t expose myself to the “new things” at the mall. I just stay home! Even with thrift store items that are cheaper, I just get tired of having stuff. All the stuff means more to take care of and I want to have experience and memories and not so much stuff. Thanks for making me think about this more today.
I’vebeen thinking about this a lot lately. A friend whose husband recently died told about their wedding, with just the pastor and one other couple. We paid for our 2 daughters’ weddings (in 2 months!) 5 years ago for $5000, which apparently was really cheap! I hear about $25,000 weddings, and parents taking out loans. and there are so many other things that we allow society and our culture to tell us is “normal” , like salon nails, dyed hair, iPhones for ur kids, multiple cars and TVs, etc…. A generation ago these were not the norm, and I don’t know that we are better off now with all our stuff.
You’re story reminded me of my trip to Chile a few years ago. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit my brother who was studying abroad. The airfare was $1,000 alone!
There I was immersed in another culture, eating wonderfully whole foods, seeing gorgeous scenery and listening to people speaking the beautiful Spanish langage, totally immersed in the beauty of a foreign land and its people. An opportunity few get to have.
And all I could do was wish my living room looked as awesome as his host mom’s. Isn’t that sad? I’m in the midst of an amazing opportunity – and I still wanted more!! So sad!!!
You are so right. It’s a struggle. Maybe not everyday. I feel like I’m soooooooo much more contented than I can ever remember. But, sometimes, out of the blue that great big ugly monster called ‘want’ rears his ugly head and I need to wrestle him into submission. Right now sugar is my ugly monster…..and we are having quite a wrestling match. And I’m learning a lot about myself. Food used to be an area of easy discipline for me. Not so much now. Seems we’re always in the class of character development.
Hi Sandy,
What a wonderful post!
So many of us struggle with the wants. It seems like it’s human nature. Maybe we are made this way. Problem is, so many times we “want” the wrong things. It is a daily struggle but I love how you emphasized that bringing ourselves back to focusing on wanting stronger marriages, more time with family, etc. is the best way to direct our “wants”.
The other day, I was in a neighboring town where a store called Home Goods had just opened. I have never been in one but I can only imagine what they sell (more stuff for the home!) I was horrified to see that there was a line around the block to get in!!! Do we all really need more stuff? Most of us live very comfortably and have what we need. Do we really need – as you so eloquently pointed out – another white bowl? LOL!!! For heavens sake…probably not!
I have my weaknesses…more cookbooks and food. But I am working hard at addressing both. After reading this, I am putting a self-imposed moratorium on myself to not bring anymore cookbooks into my home!!! I am out of control and need and intervention. LOL!!! And on a more serious note…the food…(as you quoted…”If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink or digest, then face it-you are in prison, the prison of want.”) that quote really hit home with me … I am working very hard on that. I started a weigh loss group at my church about 3 weeks ago. It’s a challenge but I am determined. I’ll keep you posted. :-)
As always, thanks so much for all the wonderful info you share!
Love,
Mary
So well said. It’s a daily thing we’re up against with all the wants, but life is so much better when we’re grateful and content with all that we really do have.