What makes people wish for things they don't have?

1. 81

   CWanamakerposted 14 years ago

   What makes people wish for things they don't have?

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2. 60

   swb78posted 14 years ago

   It is OK in my humble opinion to wish for things we do  not have; where the problem comes in is when we covet another's possessions.
   
   Some speak of greed being that of wanting to keep or control what we own or have earned. Some see greed as becoming wealthy or owning a corporation. I see true greed as wanting to take something you have not earned from someone who has using the police power of government.
   
   If I wish for something I do not have, it is my right as a free man living in a society based on ordered liberty to go and earn it. I am also free to sit on my laurels and continue to wish: however, I should never see using the government as an instrument of plunder to be morally correct. Theft is theft, greed is greed, and my side of the street is the only side I can clean.

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3. 63

   LeanChrisposted 14 years ago

   Our natural desires for security and comfort, combined with the unique material fetishism of consumerism. Lifestyle X will allow you security and comfort. Item A is needed to live Lifestyle X. Item B isn't needed, but is recommended to live Lifestyle X. People who live Lifestyle X, usually have Item C. You should get Items A, B, and C.
   
   Item C is entirely a status symbol, and only needed in the most peripheral definition of a 'necessity'. Item B has marginal utility, and might be desirable, but shouldn't be gained at another's loss. Item A is a necessity.

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4. 0

   CollBposted 14 years ago

   It must be curiosity and wanting more than what they currently have. 
   
   The saying that the grass is greener on the other side shows some people are constantly thinking ahead and how things or situations would be better, if they had for instance, a better job, a wonderful relationship or a happier life. 
   
   The common desire is wanting a lot of money to live a lavish lifestyle, perhaps or just like a celebrity because it's different from and more exciting than what they are used to.

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5. 60

   rob_allenposted 14 years ago

   There are countless reasons why. I guess people have different reasons why they would wish for something that they don't really have. It could be curiosity, insecurity or just because they want to.

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6. 32

   edhanposted 14 years ago

   I guess it is a desire in one's heart to get what they do not have.
   
   It can be a good thing if you see it in another way. For example if you want to drive a car, then you will be driven the desire to learn how to drive. After that, you will aim to save enough money to purchase a car. This sort of wish for thing will be a kind of motivation of doing something in order to get what you wish for.
   
   I find in life we do need to fire up our desire of wishing for things that even though you do not have. It will help you to work in the right direction of getting it.
   
   That is what I teach my kids when they want something, they have to work for it. Like when they are schooling, I told them that I will buy the toy they wanted but they must show me results in their studies.
   
   It helps to motivate them to study and achieve the results that I had asked before they can get what they wanted.

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7. 64

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   If you mean wishing for things one can't, and can never have - I can't really see doing that, and don't know why anyone would.
   
   If you mean wishing for things they don't have, but could one day have, then I've say they wish for them because they want them, and don't have have them.   
   
   We don't wish for we already have - only what we don't.   
   
   As for those who do wish for what they'll never have, and what there's no chance whatsoever that they'll ever have it:  Maybe it's kind of fun for them to imagine one day having what they want, even it's against all odds.   

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8. 76

   CJ Andrewsposted 14 years ago

   I have to say, what else would they wish for?  It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to wish for something you already have.  The major category left is to wish for what you don't have.
   
   Just seems to make sense to me...

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9. 59

   zzronposted 14 years ago

   
   
   You just answered your own question, they wouldn't want the things if they already had it. They only want it because they don't already have it.

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10. 70

    Ultimate Hubberposted 14 years ago

    Another reason is that they advertise those things in such a manner that one keeps on wishing for them.

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11. 70

    stricktlydatingposted 14 years ago

    Lifestyle, ambitions, dreams - Longing (or working hard) for achieving a goal or certain outcome that they believe will be of benefit to their life.

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12. 75

    michelemacwritesposted 14 years ago

    People wish for things they don't have because they are dissatisfied to some extent with what they do have.  Sometimes it could be that what they wish for would make their lives or the lives of those they love more comfortable or they are simply ambitious with the desire for bigger and better things. Sure, some folk wish for things because of avarice or to keep up with the neighbor next door but many still, wish for things that they do in fact need.  Like I wish that more people would visit my hubpages.  See, that's positive, right ??   

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13. 0

    jasper420posted 13 years ago

    I WOULD THINK THE ANSWER WOULD BE GREED BUT IM NOT SURE GREED OR LUST ONE OR THE OTHER

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14. 33

    DrMikeFitzpatrickposted 13 years ago

    simple-your "voids". relative to your value system and your "hierarchy of values", (what is most important to you, down to what is least important). of the 7 areas of life, money is a low value for most, else you would have it. you would do whatever it takes to have your values. what is funny is nothing is missing for any of us, the trick is to recognize what form we have things in.
    
    where we spend our time and money easily is where are values are high. is it your family? friends? your church? your health? reading? your work/job/business?
    
    you may wish to view some of dr. john demartinis youtubes on this subject. great question. Dr. Mike

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15. 59

    FloraBreenRobisonposted 13 years ago

    probably a belief that if you had these other things, life would be happier, easier, etc.

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