Day Twenty-one: The Balanced Scale of Desires
In week three, we delved into the intricate relationship between jealousy and desire, recognizing jealousy as a voice revealing our insecurities and unmet desires. As we conclude the week, the focus ends with evaluating these desires, discerning between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to pave the way for true fulfillment.
Our desires come from different places, and all desires are neither equal nor healthy or safe. For this reason, it is important to acknowledge our desires, how they play a role in our lives, decisions, and patterns – and to evaluate and weigh them.
Are our desires intrinsic or extrinsic? Do they originate from within, aligned with our values, interests, and genuine preferences? Or are they driven by external factors, like ego-driven desires to prove ourselves or keep up with others?
Exploring where our desires come from is an important step, as it will inform us where we should channel our energy and attention. Often, our ego dominates, loudly advocating for its needs. In contrast, our intuition and genuine desires whisper softly.
There’s a stark difference when we meet intrinsic and extrinsic needs. Extrinsic desires provide short-term satisfaction, while intrinsic ones inspire and fulfill us on a deeper level.
Let’s balance the scale of desires. Reflect on your desires and categorize them as intrinsic or extrinsic. Are there any desires you’d like to realign or shift between these categories? How might you initiate this realignment?
Intrinsic Desires:
- Self-acceptance and self-love
- Fulfillment through creative expression
- Contribution to a more significant cause or community
- Growth mindset and continuous learning
- Pursuit of personal passions and interests
Additional extrinsic desires:
- Pursuit of fame or recognition
- Comparison and competition with peers
- Approval and praise from others
- Adherence to societal norms or expectations
- Acquisition of luxury possessions or status symbols
Selected desires for balance:
- Shifting from seeking approval and praise from others to cultivating self-acceptance and self-love allows for greater autonomy and inner fulfillment.
- Shifting from pursuing external fame or recognition to contributing to a more significant cause or community instills a sense of purpose and fulfillment beyond oneself.
- Moving away from comparison and competition with peers to embracing personal passions and interests promotes authenticity and individuality.
- Transitioning from adherence to societal norms or expectations to embracing a growth mindset and continuous learning cultivates resilience and adaptability in facing challenges.
- Transitioning from focusing on acquiring luxury possessions or status symbols to prioritizing experiences and personal growth fosters deeper connections and long-lasting satisfaction.
As I evaluate intrinsic and extrinsic desires, it becomes clear that many extrinsic desires can be fulfilled through intrinsic methods. It’s like our intuition softly whispers to us, urging us to pay attention and see what we truly need.
Instead of succumbing to the instant gratification our ego often clamors for, it’s important to look beyond that and uncover what our inner world truly longs for. Our intuition guides us toward deeper fulfillment and lasting satisfaction if only we listen and follow its gentle nudges.
Always,
Your Trusted Friend 💀
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