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Core Issues of Human Nature: I want it but I don’t want to earn it

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    • CommentAuthorCarl
    • CommentTimeDec 8th 2007 edited
     # 1

    I suspect we all approach our lives with some degree of wanting to have it the easy way. Our desires exceed our willingness to earn them. Thus we’re attracted to easy salvation, easy diets, easy answers, easy payments. I can even imagine that this is partly responsible for our belief in free will, e.g., “I can just choose to have it so, and it will be so”. It also augments our hierarchical social nature. We are drawn to those who actually appear to ‘earn’ what we admire (i.e., projected desire?), be it in sports, government, art, etc. Up on the pedestal they go; we have our leader. 8)

    We’ll pick the easy way over the hard way any day. That said, we must forgive ourselves. We, and all other life on earth, evolved to chose the easy way over the hard way whenever possible – and in wilderness circumstances that works out marvelously well. Civilization makes that instinct more problematic.

    Instincts are intractable motivating life forces. Thus, are we then helplessly locked into ‘wanting it without earning it’? Naturally! Nevertheless, knowing what is happening can mitigate nature’s hoodwink. Consider these helpful hints:

    Therefore even the sage treats some things as difficult.
    That is why in the end no difficulties can get the better of him.

    It is by being alive to difficulty that one can avoid it.
    The sage meets with no difficulty. It is because he is alive to it that he meets with no difficulty.

    • CommentAuthorunclebob
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2007 edited
     # 2

    much like the "Easy Abs" machines that are on infomericals. they purport to "give you great abs in a little as 5 minutes a day" in short, just press the easy button, no need to work at it through diet and exercise.

    it is too easy to press the easy button and take the short cuts instead of working at it to get the end result

    • CommentAuthorCarl
    • CommentTimeDec 25th 2007 edited
     # 3

    "Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." Albert Einstein

    The irony I see is that understanding can only be achieved through ignorance. Nuts! Well, I've got the first part down anyway. :? All I need to is wait for the understanding.

    Here is another way to see the idea of peace... Thus War and Peace produce, complement, off-set, harmonize and follow each other;

    Geez, that doesn't make for a very uplifting Christmas message does it? :roll:

  4.  # 4

    I've always taken the path of least resistance, in the sense that I do what's expected of me and don't get hasseled too much. It's worked out pretty well. Living this way, I could ever be a Bill and Hillary, but I don't want to be.

    Re exercise, I've been doing it the hard way, actually going to the gym and joining in with others to push ourselves to our limits. It's a first in my life and I am surprised at all the long term benefits it has given. Endorphins, more energy, better mood, more strength so that my livestock responsibilities are now easer to do , even making the bed is easier. Sometimes doing things the hard way makes life easier.

    What is the phrase Carl likes to quote? Short term pain, long term pleasure?

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