“It is not the one who has too little who is poor, but the one who hankers after more.” —Seneca, Letter II
Be careful whenever you find yourself thinking that you need more than what you already possess. Having more isn’t bad, but chasing after it comes at a price.
Whether it’s a bigger home or a higher salary or a newer phone or nicer clothes, once your personal happiness becomes dependent on acquiring just a little ‘more,’ you’re destined to never truly be happy. ‘More’ is never ‘enough’.
And chasing after it, thinking it will fix all your problems, only lessens your capacity to enjoy what you already have. By thinking you need more, you’re implicitly saying that what you already have is not enough. And if you’re not satisfied with what you currently have, it’s hard to truly appreciate it.
But, if you’re able to truly appreciate what you already have today, you’ll also be able to do the same tomorrow, regardless of how much more you may have. Your happiness is no longer dependent on what you do or do not acquire.
The issue is not how much or how little you have. It’s where will you place your focus. Will it be on all the things you don’t have? Or will it be on making the most of what you do?