Summary

The article discusses the dangers of an obsessive pursuit of goals and wealth, emphasizing the importance of understanding our true motives and the distinction between 'having' and 'being'.

Abstract

The article "How Our Obsession With Goals & Wealth Is Dangerous!" delves into the societal pressure to constantly improve and achieve, suggesting that this drive often stems from basic human needs such as safety, love, and acceptance. It critiques the Western world's tendency towards greed and the creation of goals that lead to a loss of direction and personal insecurity. The author argues that the relentless pursuit of material success and social status, fueled by a distorted reality perpetuated by social media, results in a destructive cycle of dissatisfaction and illness. The piece advocates for a shift from a survival mindset to one of gratitude and presence, positing that happiness is not a goal to be achieved but a state of being that arises when one feels safe and content in the present moment.

Opinions

The author believes that the pursuit of wealth in the Western world is excessive and detrimental, often at the expense of the less fortunate.
There is a critique of the societal norm that equates success with happiness, suggesting that even when basic needs are met, a sense of fulfillment may still be lacking.
The article suggests that the constant pressure to grow and achieve is not always rooted in genuine self-improvement but rather in societal expectations and insecurities.
The author points out the irony in the "survival of the fittest" mentality, stating that it is used as an excuse for exploitation and does not contribute to true evolution or growth.
The piece emphasizes that happiness cannot be reduced to a mere goal or achievement, as it is a natural state that emerges from safety and contentment.
The author argues that the creation of artificial competition and the manipulation of needs by companies contribute to a toxic environment that prioritizes material wealth over well-being.
The concept of "selfie dysmorphia" is used to illustrate how social media distorts reality and contributes to a survival mode that is unnatural and unhealthy.
The article calls for a return to reality and a focus on being rather than having, advocating for gratitude as a path to happiness and a reminder of one's safety and well-being.

How Our Obsession With Goals & Wealth Is Dangerous!

Do you feel pressured to get better?

Every person has wishes and dreams. Even if we try to deny them.

But not many understand what drives them and what lies behind the surface. We can be unaware of our true motives.

In the end, it always comes down to our basic human needs. A good career can mean financial stability and social acceptance.

But even if we’re not focused on a career we’ll seek stability and acceptance elsewhere. We all want safety, love, acceptance, stability, and freedom.

We tend to think that if we fulfilled those basic needs we should be happy. But even if we have it all, there’s always something that’s missing.

Having the wish to grow is natural. But we’re not understanding what we’re searching for. What we truly want.

When do we want to grow for the sake of growing? When do we seek growth because we tell ourselves that we’re not big enough yet?

Toxic wealth

Even though the western world struggles the least with survival, we’re famous for greed. We buy things made by poor workers in third world countries.

It’s a known fact but there’s no change. We create goal after goal that we then chase. While losing our direction.

The ones who have enough are so insecure to not be enough. It gets horribly personal and deep.

So we buy so much that it pushes the ones down that actually struggle. There’s a difference between having and being!

What type of evolution and growth leads to the destruction of yourself and the planet?

“Survival of the fittest” has always been the dumbest excuse for those who wanted to take advantage of others.

Social media often distorts our sense of reality through filters and lies. There’s even a term called selfie dysmorphia.

It’s not about being the “fittest” anymore. It’s about finding back to reality. How could you survive if you lost track of reality? It’s a recipe for chaos and disaster.

Happiness can’t be a goal

Happiness is a state that surpasses survival. Because survival only makes room for life itself. It’s a base.

People talk about pain, sadness, and anger like they’re useless. But from the viewpoint of survival, they’re precious.

Anger and fear can give you a good amount of adrenalin. Helping you to defend yourself or run when in danger. Without pain, we wouldn’t realize when we’re hurt and needed a doctor.

But when you’re safe, there’s usually a moment where you let go. You relax in the safety. When does this society ever get to that point?

If something tells you continuously that you’re not enough, you get stuck in a loop of fears. You stay stuck in survival mode.

You never have enough money, never enough fame. So you never stop fighting. You get sick!

Being fearful, angry, or insecure often is very unnatural because it makes you sick. Why would nature see value in sickness?

Creation of enemies

Creating constant competition, by comparison, is one of the most toxic things we’ve done.

Companies know how to use our brains and needs! They profit from that understanding. It’s time that we do that, too!

That’s why some people are so reckless in their search for money and fame. Their self-worth is attached to it and it becomes much more than luxury.

Fashion isn’t only about clothing. For many, it’s a way to feel worthy. Unfortunately. In the survival state, you always think about your safety first.

If you make people believe that they’re in danger while they’re safe, they find a target to fight. They create problems.

They literally start to fight against self-declared enemies. I mean the anger and fear have to get out somewhere. It breaks out at some point.

Suddenly we’re in a cycle where nobody knows what was there first. Inequality or insanity?

People legitimize their fears by pointing toward the threat that was only created because people assumed to be in danger.

Gratitude makes happy!

We need to learn how to be again. We mostly learn how to get.

How to get good grades in school to get a good job to get money to get things to get a great status. Then we’re scared to lose all of it again.

Try to look inside instead of collecting material wealth just to be popular. We decide what will be acceptable and relevant. We even change that constantly.

Happiness is found in the present and by gratitude because that’s how we remember that we’re safe.

Because in safety we’re allowed to let go and be present. That’s when we’re allowed to relax!

That’s why people repeatedly say: Be grateful! Gratefulness shifts your focus. It’s a reminder of how well you actually are.

Happiness can never be a goal. Survival is a goal, happiness a state of being. Survival makes room for the experience of life. Happiness is living!

So, do you live or only survive? Do you feel alive?