The thirst for material goods is both puzzling and understandable.
It’s puzzling in that one would think years of unmet promises of happiness offered by material goods would cure us of irrational expectations.
It’s understandable in that almost every waking moment we are bombarded with messages that attempt to make us believe things will improve our lives in fundamental ways. Those messages are like salt-laden snacks in a bar; they drive a thirst that only a beer or a beer surrogate can quench.
We know what we’re in for when we go into a bar and find the bowl of salted peanuts. We don’t need to remind ourselves that the salt will make us thirsty for the products behind the counter; we know when to stop. But we seem to have to remind ourselves, constantly, that our thirst for material things will not be quenched unless we stop eating the salt.
Exactly, Trish!
Great thoughts here, John! You really nailed it when you wrote, our thirst for material things will not be quenched unless we stop eating the salt. That is a tell all, if you stop eating salt. Ah, yes, salt is of the earth, but it is up to us to determine just how many salted peanuts will we consume. We like them (the peanut) for the salt, but often do realize the ocean we are consuming! The life has the same level of consumption. We must pause, if that is possible, and reflect not to dive once more into the salty bowl.