Is it the human condition to not be content?

// October 14th, 2009 // Glenn

If you are born rich, you aren’t content because you want to get out to “the real world” and be a regular person. If you are born poor, you constantly strive to be rich thinking that will bring contentment. If you are a genius you think that you over-analyze everything and are unable to simply be content like people with average intelligence. If you aren’t very bright, you believe that the cause of your discontent is because you just aren’t smart enough to do the right things. If you are destined to inherit your parents’ business (whatever it is), you don’t want it because it’s too boring (and probably too easy), while if your parents have nothing for you to inherit, that is also bothersome.

Of course there are many exceptions to these statements, but I’m certain they are more true than not.

But why is it we can’t be content with what we have? It could be argued that this is an evolutionary trait – thinking that those creatures (humans) that are discontent, continually strive for something better in life, which causes improvements and inventions that continue to advance their environment and cause them to become more “powerful”, which ensures their survival.

Most religions address this discontentment as well. Christians say that this life is only a small part of “eternal life” in which you will be fully content in heaven. Buddhists say that you should give up the whole idea of being content and just accept the reality that “life is suffering”. And many other smaller religions and cults get their followers to focus on a single cause or event as being vastly important and they alone have the answer which gives them a certain level of pride and contentment.

So, if this really is an accurate portrayal of the choices in dealing with discontentment, then which is right or best? They all seem weak (unless one of the religious answers is actually true!)

I’m sorry to say that I don’t have an answer. Feel free to tell me the answer if you know it.

3 Responses to “Is it the human condition to not be content?”

terry says:

October 14, 2009 at 6:09 pm

You hit the nail squarely on the head. It is true. Mammals continually strive to survive . They do not know the full extent of the next winter , or the next dry spell , or the next monsoon. Therefore we try to maintain more than enough to survive that downturn. Squirrels gather nuts and bury them . Chipmunks , mice , beavers , -all plan food stores. Those creatures who do not recognize change ? There are some but they have there own method of survival , perhaps by having a million offspring, perhaps by reproducing to infinity , possibly by …. There have got to be more scenarios of lifeform survival , but they elude me right now.
Us humans do have survival plans , and one of the pillars is to improve one’s condition year over year probably to ensure our offspring survival and our own. This leads us to conflict with religion . How many times have you heard the expression “almighty dollar”. Religion tries to make us guilty about over acheivement. Perhaps , that is the basis for Canada’s pension plan crisis. God fearin legislators know that a pension in this life is totally wrong. Everyone should be equal financially.

There was an experiment with that theory that ran from 1917 until 1990. In the process 30 million people were slaughtered for dissagreement and then another experiment involving the third reich started a world war to make their country better than all others. And this leads us to bigger and better bombs. The current bomb in development “MOP” (massive ordinace penetrator) will be able to penetrate the earth’s surface.

Another pillar of survival is enjoyment of life. We are here because our ancestors enjoyed life. Enjoy meant reproduction. The hardwired or instinct to reproduce is the top pillar. The second is grow a better food source , and the third is build a better home. Perhaps the fourth pillar is improve your condition of existence. This one is the subject of this discussion.

Religion attempts to harness the pillars or life forces . Each religion has a different approach . I will say that the most successful one so far in terms of membership, has been to encourage the top pillar , get more reproduction and then beat the kids into submission at an early age.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with our built , hard wired desire to do better. One of the previous thought lines on this web site established that we are happy when we succeed . Happyness lasts only a few weeks , though. Then it is time to achieve something else.
Annie says:

October 17, 2009 at 9:50 am

Dear Glenn, I do not have the answer either but I have poundered that same thought. I have asked God that question too and you know what he said to me Glenn? He said; “Annie, you think too much, it’s 2 am, get some rest”. LOL !
So, here’s where I’m at: I no longer see discontent as a symptom of the human condition but rather as an underlying need… Read More. A need for more yes, but not in the sense of Greed, as reality has it, we often pray for less. I see a need or craving in all of us, not necessarily to become someone or something else, but too experience a variety of situations across the continuum throughout our physical existence. In this sense I experience discontent when the Lord finds me ready to further my achievements. I am now able to see discontent as a positive circumstance in my life, it is that perfect moment where desire and readiness meet and I am suddenly aware and prepared to execute one more of God’s plans for me. Discontent is less of a “rut” and more of a motive to progress.
It is not discontent that may really be the issue because discontent does not mean that one is not greatful as it is possible to experience both simultaneously, but rather how individuals may be unable or unwilling to see in it God’s ultimate wish, to see His children pounder, as we are doing now, learn, progress, and eventually, in a stepward fashion become greater individuals. I mean not greater as in more important and that we are all not that good right now at this present moment but rather greater in the sense that we are in search of a more wholistic self and that self, if achieved through the teachings and with love, care, and devotion in my heart will benefit others and please my Lord. Without discontent how could I do this? I would have no goal to strive for and no “cue” to respond to. I may even go as far as believing that my job here on earth is complet. Now, that, would be an even greater issue would it not?

Annie
falconsmite says:

December 1, 2009 at 12:14 am

I think that we can’t believe in any one religion, but learn from all of them, as they are ancient knowledge passed on through cultures, that have evloved over thousands of years. They all preach our basic morals and if we can live through life with kindness to others and, self truth, then as i believe, life is well spent.

Anything extra is bonus.

theres plenty of hateful people in this world but thats their problem….unlesss they gang up on me :p