Upgrade desire

Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I accomplish.

— Michelangelo

Often, desire is portrayed as selfish. But that’s a very superficial perspective. When you step back and look at the bigger picture, it’s clear that desire is much more than merely a tool of the ego. Desire is a compelling connection to purpose.

Certainly desires can be misinterpreted, and that’s one big reason why desire gets a bad reputation. The desire for nutritional nourishment, for example, can be corrupted so that it manifests as a desire for a box of Krispy Kremes. In such a case, it’s not the underlying desire that’s the problem — it’s the way that desire is interpreted and acted upon.

The way to reap real, positive value from our desires is to follow them to their source. Behind every superficial desire is a deeper desire. Behind the deeper desire is usually an even deeper, more purely authentic desire. Behind all desires, is purpose.

The powerful thing about digging deeply into desire is that it creates more options. Though the superficial desires may not be immediately attainable, and may in fact not ever be attainable, there is some level at which every desire can be attained with minimal physical complications. Most every thing we desire, is desired because we wish to feel a certain way. The experience of life flows from one state of feeling to another, and in our desires we imagine ways to bring about certain specific feelings. As such, at their most authentic level, desires drive us forward toward true fulfillment.

The next time you feel a strong desire, request an upgrade to a more meaningful level. Don’t be satisfied with the initial, superficial desire. Ask yourself why. Explore what’s behind that desire. Then, instead of knocking yourself out trying to grab something that probably won’t really be very fulfilling, you’ll create for yourself a whole new set of meaningful options. And you’ll find a way to fulfill every desire.