Emotions, for us humans, is not something we can shy away from. We are made to feel, to long for, and to react. Some emotions can be more consuming than the others, and so, it’s not bizarre to hear that it turned people otherwise. Desire is one emotion, that everyone relates to. It is second nature for humans to want things - whether lightly or intensely. While there are subtle ways this particular emotion, plays out in the life of every human, we can’t deny how destructive it is, if not handled rightly.
There are so many stories told, of people blinded so strongly by their desire, that they failed to see how consumed they were by it, till it was too late. Desire is one strong emotion, that starts out first with longing. A longing for something one thinks would make them feel better. A craving for something other than what you currently have. This is a very common experience for everyone, and while it’s completely okay to satisfy this longing, continuously giving into it without knowing when to stop, is the stage where it becomes dangerous.
When it comes to desire, there’s one where you want to be better for yourself, to explore life from a different perspective, because it’s the best decision for you, and there’s one that borders on achieving for validation. There’s the desire to grow, and embrace change. There’s also the desire to grow to a certain level, not because you want it wholly, but because a part of you, still clings to that thing, and sees it as the only defining factor for growth, in your life. The desire to be in a place of power, to change people’s opinion about you, is a perfect example of the latter.
The desire to be better for yourself is never wrong. However, that desire could easily transition from a simple urge to be better, to something more dangerous. It could easily be fueled by a need for validation disguised as wanting better for yourself. It’s okay to crave for something so strongly, that you feel unsettled till you’ve achieved it. It’s okay to desire a status where you can’t envisage a life without it, in the nearest future. Where the problem lies however, is allowing yourself to be lost in the process. It is in allowing yourself to be so consumed such that you’re willing to lose everything, and believe that that is all there is to life.
Every individual has principles. Principles - good or bad - that guide their actions. Principles that have shaped them into being who they be are. If leaving behind these principles in pursuit of something, turns you into someone who sees others simply as a means to an end, it’s safe to say your desire is unhealthy. If your need to satisfy a longing, morphs into a state where it becomes your only measure for success, then you’ve lost the plot.
Not all cravings deserve to be satisfied, because rather than impacting you, they end up consuming you, till all you have left, to go back to, is little to nothing. Knowing this, is enough to decide, where your current desire borders on. Unless of course, you aren’t true to yourself.
Thanks for reading.
Images were taken by me.
