What Do You Want

What is it that you want from life? Do you want to be happy, do you want to be satisfied, and do you want to be able to handle stress or anxiety?

There could be a litany of wants but how do they differ from needs?

A Want
A want is something we do not need to survive like fancy clothes, or a big house, or a very well paying job. We only want because we either see others having much more and seemingly enjoying a fantastic lifestyle comprised of big homes, lots of vacations, a summer cottage, or the latest model in fancy cars. But, does having all of these material possessions make one happy, or wholesome?

A Need
On the other hand, if our basics needs are satisfied so that we have a roof over our heads, enough food to live, and a warm and caring family full of love, is this not enough?

But Happiness
Sure, it is nice to have some of those great things that we all see advertised on TV but these things are not going to make you happy. The only thing that makes you happy is the happiness you find through the Lord, through appreciating what you have already been given, and happiness that comes from within the very inner fiber of your soul. Nothing external to your being can and of itself bring true happiness for all of these materialistic items are only extraneous to your soul. They have no power or strength to create anything – they are simply items that one can buy. But, you cannot buy happiness – it is a false promise created by those who market products.

Happiness is an attitude, a passion that you alone own and create – you cannot buy it, rent it, or steal it from another. Those who claim to be happy with all of their materialistic possessions are leading a life that shines only for a small moment in time, a life where glitter reigns but for a brief and fleeting moment in time. But, what do they really have when it is their time to meet their maker? Do you think that God would welcome them to his kingdom with more open arms or before those who have little?

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6

Many times in life we forget about wants and needs. There is a big difference between the two. Be inspired by the wisdom in this thought; let it remind you that about the essentials, your needs and how they must be met, but wants can always wait.

Wants vs Needs
Poet: Julie Hebert, ©2012

In this day and age we live,
There are things we want and need.
I think sometimes we forget,
That want can wait, but essentials we need.

We sometimes get carried away,
With having more than anyone else does.
We want and want and want and want,
And forget all we need is love.

Of course in life we need more than just love,
but in comparison to these wants, love is good.
If we all could all set our greed aside for one day,
You’d see how much we have misunderstood.

So the next time you’re want overtakes,
And becomes an essential you need.
Remember the day you finally understood,
And put away your greed.

Inspirational Quotes for Reflection:
“God longs for your happiness and He has plans for your life.” Janet Fuller

“I believe in hard work, but it is even more important that we work with the right attitude.” Floyd Kendall

“Happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want, and this mentality of focusing on the positive will propel you onto a path of incredible growth and fulfillment.” Meredith Lane