Desire

Desire.

It is fundamental to the human experience, and because of the influence it can wield over us has been seen as either a taboo or an instrument of liberation at various points in human history.

It’s not unusual for something as powerful as desire to shift between being seen as either a positive or negative force, as something that will either drive your forward, hold you back, or even lead you astray. But rarely is desire portrayed as anything other than the extremes, for it’s very nature is one that is difficult to ignore and that calls us to action. Be that for good or ill.

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than he who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.

- Aristotle

Now I daresay that most people throughout history have viewed resisting desire to be a virtue, if only because doing so allowed them to moderate their actions and conform to social norms. After all, to be a part of the group is a survival instinct that is ingrained in us as strongly as desire.

Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.

- Napoleon Hill

I think that perhaps, as with many things and much like most people, my view sits somewhere in between.

Freeing yourself from desire is about eliminating your want for certain things, things that don’t make you better, that hold you back or distract you. But it isn’t just that, it’s also about removing the barriers between intent and action on things that will improve your life. It’s about removing that hesitation that leads to regret. Living in, and for, the moment.

Because the moment you are in is all you’ll ever have, but so is the next one, and the one after that.