Did you ever ask yourself -
What do I really want to do?
What do I really want to be?
What do I really want to have?
What do I really want?
Most likely you have. We all do. Some of these questions are forced upon us while others show up naturally as time passes.
Whatever the path these question take, there seems to be this common experience across the globe.
While thinking about this "what do I want" question, I realized that everyone wants. Some of us want the basics while others of us want everything and more. That got me wondering, how do we, me, you, all of us KNOW what we want?
Do we have something in common when it comes to what we want?
Do we all want world peace? It wouldn't appear so.
Do we all want to survive? I thought so, but with all the suicide bombings, I not so sure anymore.
Do we all want money? I don't think so, although some times bunches of it would make life easier at least for a little while.
Do we all want food? I think we can agree on that one. Although, it would appear that some of us want it more than others.
Do we all want to be part of something larger than just yourselves? Hmmmmm, this might a common one. Well up until the moment when I am considering becoming a recluse after watching the evening news.
Could it be that we are all so different that there are only pockets of common wants? That we as the human race will never have at least one common want.
I find that difficult to believe. But, in my short life span on this planet so far, I see no evidence that we as a species have a common want that crosses all the natural and artificial boundaries which separate us.
The closest thing to a common want that seems to flicker on and off from time to time is the want of love. Sometimes the love is formed from unlikely ideas, circumstances or desires. I bet even terrorists, the bogeymen of our present history, want love. Although this want definitely flickers off and on.
So, setting aside any humanity common want, how do YOU know what YOU really want?
Leave a comment and let me know. I'm sure millions of people would love to know how to figure this out.
Hope to hear from you.
Written for NaBloPoMo, the theme for February is "WANT"
Posts
3 comments:
Have you read any of the books by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi? I came across "Finding Flow" several years ago and it presented some interesting theories about finding that one thing that provides a sense of fulfillment and engagement; something that when you are doing it time passes by without your noticing. When engaged in this activity it produces a feeling of harmony. Particularly, an activity that requires focus and that calls upon a person's skill set (not watching tv :-) for example). Anyway, just thought I'd toss that theory out there :D
Thanks carma. I will check that out.
For those interested -
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi-Thinker of the Year Award 2000
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Finding Flow" is previewed at Google Book Search
Post a Comment