What Are You Reaching For

In the world that we abide in; it is evident that most of us are reaching for something to be better than we are, have more than we have, look as good as "they do" (whoever they are) and "appear" to be happy at the same times. Why? Because there is so much focus on who does best at what and why. It is in our political arena, it is in our social arena and it is in our own family based associations. Yep, be honest...you want to drive just as big a SUV as the cuz does. Now, isn't it true; sometimes? We just can't stand for anyone to outdo us. Admit it; you might as well and get on with trying to understand your need to "Reach for something" just because someone else is reaching for bigger and better all the time.

The question is "What Are You Reaching For," and why? The answer can be pretty simple; similar to being a child who want that red bike because Janie down the street just got one. It satisfies for the moment at least and then what you know; something else bigger and better comes along and here we go again.

There is so much focus on things from the time we are old enough to walk. The 2 year old wants the toy that the 3 year old has; so mommy and daddy get it. Teenagers want the black mustang because Harry down the street just got a red one. Mommy and daddy get one because they want the teenager to feel secure and they do not want to look cheap or without sufficient financial means to fulfill their children's needs. First thing you know the teenager thinks that everything they desire; they should get and here we go in a cycle time after time.

Why do we teach our children it is a world of want, and what are adults reaching for and Why Are You Reaching.

As humans we seek approval from others. We want a certain amount of prestige that goes with being able to afford nice things for us and our family. We want our neighbors to think well of us and we sometimes seem to think that having "things" and more "things" makes us fit into a "perfect" example for our so called, high classed friends. Are we sure this is what life is all about? Of course it isn't and deep down we know it; but humans will be humans.

In some instances; it is not about approval, it is about obtaining more than our neighbors and being above and beyond our friends and neighbors. In our mind; that is. We buy the best brand TV, the biggest SUV on the market, the most expensive house on the block which also has the highest mortgage in the bank. We are reaching for ABUNDANCE AND stardom. What you say? Stardom? Why does it hurt to want to outshine everybody else? Humans will be humans; until they get themselves in a bind and realize that each and everyone of us; has our own little status in life....

Status means capacity. Capacity means: volume; limit of volume held. Okay, what does this tell us about status? It seems that it identifies the fact that we each have our own capacity for the status of which we occupy. The neighbor down the street, may have a six figure income. You may have only a five figure. Status also means degree or unit of measurement. Which also means that we all have certain standards, volume, amount, scopes, strengths and different situations and abilities. When we start trying to live up to another persons status of living we are over indulging and it will bring consequences; which is results and outcome of actions we have taken.

Simply put; if you try to outdo the people you associate with, you will at some point in time find yourself with the aftermath of living above what you really have capacity for.

When one ask themselves this question; the answer may not come quickly because we get caught up in life and having things to make life sweet. It gives us that temporaryfix, but that dwindles and then we must have another fix. This is not happiness. It is not going to make our children the wealthiest, smartest or most liked. It is giving them the wrong values and sitting them up for failure. It is teaching them that life is a piece of cake and that just isn't true or what life if about. Most mature adults know that giving our children everything they want; isn't making them fit for real life and you might be surprised at the people who want their children to reign with the kings kids..regardless of the cost. It makes mom and dad feel better than Jimmy, actually...at least for the moment.

These same adults appear to have missed something in their childhood that gives them the urge to flourish their children with the kingdom. Is it the children who want this fame or is it the adults who are reaching for something they have never had? Sooo..What Are You Reaching For?

Too often most of us have at some point in our life reached for something we did not need, thought we wanted and then found out it wasn't what we thought it was. It did not bring that wrenching satisfaction and in fact it brought a little pain. Why would we not want our children to learn that life is not about abundance or luxury; it is about the quality of the simplicity in our life and not the complexity which usually is brought on by lavishness.

Indulging in the better things life is not all bad. However, it would be safe to say that most of our lives would bring much more satisfaction and happiness with contentment, in the long term if we stopped reaching for things because someone else has it, bought it, inherited it or believes it to be something worth having. The big question is; is it worth having to us?

To live our own life in harmony and happiness; it not about receiving or buying things. It is about what we give away actually. We should work at giving something of value back to society. We should teach our children that to be an elite in this world means that we work hard, strive for personal excellence,contribute to another person's need and seek to make the world a better place to live. We must know that diversity comes to all at some time in our life; one way or the other and that humbleness and modesty is more rewarding than arrogance, pride and abundance.

"The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away." - Wayne Dyer

"Abundance is about being rich, with or without money." - Suzy Orman

"Most people seek after what they do not possess and are thus enslaved by the things they want to acquire." - Anwar El-Sadat

Simple truths are sometimes the hardest to accept. They are what lies dormant within us

instead of being out front for people to see. When we are seeking for material things to

satisfy and bring us to what we believe to be a more perfect life; we are wasting valuable time

for creating a more satisfying life with the very things we had to start out with....and thought

was not enough.