Right now, before you read any further, ask yourself, aloud, “What do I really want from life?” Take as much time as you need. It’s an important question and the following words won’t disappear, I promise. Don’t be in a hurry as you usually are (aren’t you?) Wondering about personal stuff, such as feelings, sensations, perceptions etc. may seem an easy task, but it actually is not. It might happen that what you perceive at first is not the real answer, is not the actual true. You need to stop any action for a moment, relax and prepare your mental ear to hear, your inner self to receive.
Done? Very well. Now, you have answered. What does your answer tell you? Is the perfect spouse that you “really” want from life? Someone who is always there for you, to listen, to offer their availability at all times, to comply with your requests? Or it is maybe the best job, the one, where you feel completely appreciated, where you have an excellent perspective for advancement?
Are you dreaming of a perfect child, a son or a daughter who not only loves you but who also respects your words and choices? Do you want more money, because if you had a much greater income you could afford to buy a bigger house or a fancier car, you could go on exotic holidays in the Southern Seas? Maybe you are looking for greater power and control? You have always seen yourself obeyed by others, rather than the other way around, isn’t it so?
Do you want to feel you are popular, respected more? Do you wish to be prettier, thinner? Taller, with bigger muscles? Whatever it is that you wish for, now ask yourself: What would I get if I had my desire fulfilled? More love, appreciation, security, admiration? Good. Now you “know” what you really want from life. And here comes the most important question: Had you got it all, “how would you feel?” Do you think you would finally be happy? It’s quite possible that you might.
But... for how long? Do you believe you would find your “perfect” mate to be so wonderful... forever? Although I wish you that you would, I am not too sure. The same goes for all the other things. The excitement for reaching the object of your craving, according to human nature, tends to transform itself. At first, it will turn into a more relaxed feeling. Then acceptance would step in, followed by a sense of entitlement. Afterwards all will be transformed into a habit and then... boredom will ensue.
It seems that human beings are not built in such a way that makes them capable of finding total contentment. Due to the fact that in our reality everything is temporary, the immediate consequence is that all is bound to change. Both positive and negative feelings will be transformed, in a way or another. So.... What is the final result of this wondering? It’s as simple as that. Happiness, serenity, fulfillment “do not” depend on outside circumstances, situations, on people or things.
Such wonderful feelings must be nursed inside yourself, through the never-ending pursuit of spiritual progress. Once you feel that you have done your best, that you are the person you wanted to be (as to mental attitude, behaviors etc.) you will experience the comforting feeling that whispers, “Hey, my friend, you did it!” Only then will you have not only what you really want but, most of all, you will end up with what you really “need”!
— Elsa Franco Al Ghaslan, a Saudi English instructor and published author (in Italy), is a long-time scholar of positive thinking.
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Blog: recreateyourlifetoday.blogspot.com
