Desire Creates Fire
- Nash Young
- May 20, 2023
- 5 min read
I had a spur-of-the-moment idea last night when pondering about what subject matter I would expound on today. I have historically talked about more politically inclined or theologically charged topics, but today I wanted to encourage the reader on desire. With this, I am not saying that the axiom of this topic won't intertwine with some sort of religious aspect, but it's not completely focused on that idea entirely. Essentially, desire is sometimes conceived as this figment of your imagination type of phenomenon, but it's ascertainable in the metaphysical realm more than one understands(surpassing my understanding as well). I understand that everyone is different genetically, environmentally, and spiritually(different religions or different walks of their respective religion). There is no universal one size fits all application to this subject, but I believe I can provide some evidence and some ad-hominem accounts that can provide that spark to create the blaze of desire that most if not all humans feign after. We live in a world by my account that is rife with seeking validation, finding worth, and gleaning notoriety. If only we could pinpoint what gives us the desire to partake in activities that cultivate our mental, physical, and spiritual health. In fact, the most hackneyed and trite example ever used in this category is New Year's Resolutions. An interesting fact according to polling data from the "2020 New Plate/Ipsos survey found 55% of respondents kept their New Year’s resolution for less than a year, with 11% lasting at least six months, 14% lasting at least three months, 19% lasting at least one month and just 11% lasting less than a month". This is in fact data from a mere 3 years ago, but what makes this astonishing is that we could assume that this may be even worse given the isolation that took place during Covid. To bolster my point even more, a poll taken by "Forbes Health/OnePoll surveyed(sic) 1,005 U.S. adults conducted from(sic) November 18 to November 22. The survey found that overall, 45% of respondents noted an improvement in mental health as one of their top New Year’s resolutions, compared to 39% who said improved fitness, 37% who want to lose weight,(sic) and 33% who cited improved diet". Mental health has become the talking point of an exasperated generation whose struggle to find meaning and the desire to procure that meaning as a hopeless journey.
We almost take some sort of sadistic approach to our own mental gymnastics that we quite intentionally perform for our own demise. From my own anecdotal experience, it seems to me that our desire is contingent on our moral support(community), the environment we reside in(where we tend to spend time), our physical state of being, and our spiritual mindset. I find myself flummoxed and an opprobrium to society simultaneously when confronted with this predicament. This deteriorates my ability to even think coherently and my desire is fleeting. The remedies I find to be a great antidote are praying, exercising, eating healthier, communicating with friends and family on a regular basis, getting adequate sleep, and sitting in environments where I know it's hard to fail from lack of productivity(this includes silence as being productive). I fail at these activities often, but way less than I did even one year ago. The question that should follow is how are those things attainable habitually, meaning how can we desire to do those kinds of activities and fail rarely? I would posit that scientifically it has a lot to do with our environment. A book that I really enjoyed reading is called "Atomic Habits", and this book explains how we can succeed in our daily endeavors habitually. The most succinct quote that spoke to me was, “Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior”. James Clear the author mentions the story of Odysseus from the Oddysey(who knew) and uses the most exquisite example to bolster his point. Odysseus was a Greek hero who was venturing through the Mediterranean Sea and had to bypass the island of the Sirens. These eloquent and angelic beings had a robust track record of leading sailors astray by seducing them into an almost irresistible musical trance and would cause their ships to plow into a rocky bottom, therefore taking the lives of these journeymen. Odysseus realized his incompetence when it came to resisting this temptation while passing by. He ordered his men to tie him to the mast of the ship until they passed the island in order for him to be incapacitated to steer the ship in that ominous direction. He ironically desired to simultaneously listen to their voices and steer his men in the right direction(got his cake and ate it too). This story is indicative of the psychological cacophony that we as humans have to circumvent in order to be fail-proof. If you fail to remove the distractions that continuously are problematic, then your chances of success to desire even a modicum of the subject matter above are next to impossible. Out of sight, out of mind.
What do we value? truly the right question is, "What should we value"? I always think of the scene in Irobot when Spooner asks Doctor Alfred Lanning's hologram a question and the hologram will say, "That... indeed is the right question" but I digress. Desiring a means to an end can be indicative of what we value. Desire and value aren't synonymous, yet are not juxtaposed with each other. Desire in this context or really any context is something you yearn for and value is something you hold in high regard. When conjoining these two words(because words mean something) now you have a recipe for success and a desirable outcome. Sitting down and figuring out your values will contrive this unsatiable desire to ameliorate your current value system(sounds simple and mundane). No one has this down to a science by any means. I find even David Goggins to be overly excessive in his attitude towards his values, even though he is extremely motivating for resilience and toughness. I admire his intention, but he has built a motivational empire off of radical habits that most could only imagine even though I watch his videos and find lots of utility in them. I say that not to bring David Goggins down, but to shed light on the fact that we should ultimately desire balance(maybe he does behind closed doors). Once we arrive at what we value, there is a hierarchy that we have to assemble these values in. We all desire pleasure, but it goes way deeper than that. This is why the question posited above, "What should we value?" keeps churning in my head. I may just write a book about this later on in life because so many things keep popping into my head that I believe is so important, but I am currently living in the Truman Show(writing-wise) where I am confined to only a little more writing. Intrinsically, we were created for a purpose( I said I would try to stay away but my conscience can't) and that is archetypically to treat others as we would want to be treated, put others before yourself(righteously) and where it all derives from is love(the righteous love of Christianity not secular). These desires will become the catalyst for these values that we indeed, should value. The world would become a better place if so desired for what the outcome would be of the golden rule and its counterpart love. Try it, it works(speaking to myself as well).
Thank you for reading, I will expound on this another time..... maybe.
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