Want

Last week I covered a Social Studies class with some of our sixth graders.  They are currently studying ancient India and we got to talking about the foundations of Buddhism and its influence on Asian culture.  The kids reminded me of Buddhism's big idea - that spiritual actualization and unburdened happiness could only be achieved by shaking the yoke of desire from our lives.  I don't think I ever really understood what that meant until recently.

It's so easy to live in this country and spend all your time looking up: to want a bigger apartment or house, to want more money or more things, to want and want and want until all you have to show for yourself and your life is stuff.  I am no different - I sometimes expend so much energy gazing upward that I forget about what is right in front of me.  I once read some article that cautioned people about the dangers of "as soon as."  As soon as I get a new car, I'll be happier.  As soon as I get a promotion, things will get better.  The truth is that most of us could think of scores of these types of statements pretty easily.  So I've decided to make the conscious and deliberate effort to stop this habit.  It's not easy, especially in this hyper-commercialized and materialistic society.  Have you seen this?  It was all over the place one day about a week ago when I happened to be feeling pretty down.  It's funny and does help to lift the spirits.  Remember this John Mayer song?  It's from the great movie Bucket List, and there is one part that really resonates with me:

Take all of your so-called problems

Better put 'em in quotations

Blessed.

Truth, Mr. Mayer.  Lately I have reminded myself: my life is freaking great, and I have no reason to ever feel sorry for myself.  Seriously - never ever.  God and my parents have always given me everything I need.  Therefore, I conclude that nothing could ever be so bad that I am justified in sulking around or complaining about my "so-called problems."  (And I don't mean to imply that your problems are also pointless and stupid, but mine are! This is me judging myself only.)  So next time I am having a bad day, or feeling the pressure of my first-world wants and my white people problems, I'm going to skip that cute website with pictures of funny animals and just remember the I haves.

I have love all around me from an amazing husband and the best family on the planet.

I have been born into extreme, undeserving privilege, where I have an unfair advantage over the vast majority of the world's population just by existing.  

I have plenty of money to put a roof over my head, feed myself good food, and buy superfluous stuff that I don't even remotely need.

I have wonderful friends and a really sweet dog. 

I have a fun, rewarding, and challenging job that keeps me on my toes and makes me a better person every day.

I have a great life.  

So many people have so much less, yet I want.  I don't know if I'll ever extricate myself from desire all together, but the simply process of remembering what I have is extremely helpful and does make me/keep me a very happy person.  So, shucks, I'm not yet enlightened and I haven't reached nirvana - not even close - but I have plenty of time to get there.

Reclining Buddha knows Nirvana.  Me not so much.