Human life is complex and many of its aspects we have not yet completely understood. Human desire is one of them and is a complex element that gives life its meaning but also can destroy life itself. It is however a primary element that construct our lives brick by brick. It is also a significant driving force responsible for new exploration, innovation, creation and seeking fulfilment which sometimes even leads to evil as well.
It has so much energy that it can ignite our passions and ambitions to propel us toward progress and growth. However, it requires thoughtful consideration of whether we should chase our desires. Let’s delve into the complex interplay of human desires, what should be boundaries? To what extent we should follow such a desire that it doesn’t become evil? To get to the answers let’s understand first what exactly these feelings are.
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The nature of human desires
Into our deepest thoughts, we have some unfulfilled longing. Some are temporary and basic like craving for some specific food or watching something, going somewhere but some are rooted deep having profound aspirations like success, love, self-discovery etc. The range of our desires is incredibly large. These desires play a really important role in making us what we are today explorers, innovators, inventors, writers, artists and psychopaths. Basically, it is our pursuit of desires which plays an important role in deciding what a human will become. It motivates us to transcend our limitations and strive for excellence.
Chasing desires
Personal growth and fulfilment:
it is one of the typical desires apart from temporary ones. Such desires lead us to self-growth and fulfilment. It makes us overcome personal resistance, leave our comfort zones, dive into unexplored depths, learn something new and ultimately something extraordinary.
Innovation and progress: Pursuing desires to the extent of madness gave us countless innovations and technologies. Many people declared crazy by so-called normal people just went on to pursue their desires. They just were not ready to leave their desires and had scientific discoveries, technological advancements and cultural resolutions.
Passion and motivation: There are so many different reasons why we don’t feel passionate or lack motivation but it is our desire that fuels our passions and provides the motivation. It is only up to us to what extent we can chase our desires and when we do that we maintain a strong work ethic and persevere in the face of setbacks.
Enhanced well-being: Chasing desires can also contribute to a sense of well-being and contentment. The pursuit of desires can lead us to achieve healthy goals. You watch yourself in the mirror and desire to look fit. But you let this desire go away and you never achieve your fitness goal. If you chase your desire you become fit, achieve your dream job, form meaningful relationships and bring a profound sense of happiness.
Limits of chasing desires:
Balancing priorities: If the pursuit of desires was the only way we would all achieve everything that we wish for but there is a catch, we have different priorities. Most people just can’t go chasing their desires instead they have lots of other priorities. We neglect our desires for various reasons such as families, society, ethics, values, health or other personal reasons. Now the game is how you manage your priorities and whoever gets it will win the game.
Materialism and discontent: there is one more important thing in pursuit of desires that you have to set a limit. An unchecked pursuit of desires, especially, material ones can lead to a cycle of constant craving and dissatisfaction. You wish for a lot of money and when you get rich you feel discontented and dissatisfied unless you keep your desires under your control and do not let the desires control you.
Ethical consideration: we see so many instances around when we see someone hurting people to move ahead in the ladder or pursue their desires. Sometimes they just violate values or ethics or morality but sometimes they start violating laws and cross every limit in order to pursue their desires. It’s crucial to align our desires with principles of compassion, empathy and fairness.
Risk of burnout: As much as important it is the pursuit of desires to achieve something it is too really important to learn when to stop and when to take a step back. An excessive focus on chasing desires can lead to burnout and exhaustion. We love to tell those stories when someone went crazy and limitless in the pursuit of desires and achieved something extraordinary but never tell those stories when the unchecked pursuit of desires failed them and destroyed them.
Finding the balance
What is the most important thing in a car? How much speed it can attain, right? But suppose a car manufacturer build a car that goes at a higher speed than any other car but he forgot to set up power breaks. Would it be considered a good car? It would be worthless, right?
Now there must be a balance between chasing desires and maintaining a holistic life. Some tips to consider:
Self-awareness: Don’t chase your desires blindly, give yourself a moment, stop and think. Assess your goals, values and the well-being of people around you.
Prioritization: Make a balance between your priorities and desires. Don’t indulge too much in your priorities to let go of your desires or vice versa. Chase your desires while sticking to your priorities and you will achieve success without hurting your loved ones.
Ethical compass: Don’t forget your values, ethics, laws and feelings of other people and always pursue such desires that have positive outcomes for the world, society and you.
Moderation: Always keep a check on your desires. Don’t let your desires become a master of your actions. Practice moderation and avoid getting consumed by your desires.
If you remove desire from human lives there won’t be many elements left to give this life a meaningful sense. Craving for your favourite food, searching for love, money, name, fame, power or sex are those desires that make humans unique in the animal kingdom. Although it is not untrue that sometimes evil is born out of desires but also it can help an individual to achieve everything wished for. Human desire is like atomic energy one can make a nuclear bomb and the other can generate electricity to power one’s life and many others.
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