To Crave Something

This is a response to the one-word prompt “Craving” by “The Daily Post.”

Why does one crave things in life? Merriam-Webster gives for its simple definition as to have a very strong desire for (something).  We desire things in life for a variety of reasons; because we like the object, we think it’s cool or pretty or because we think it will be very helpful in improving our lives at the time we desire the object/s. We also desire things that are needed not just wanted. To Crave something is neither good nor bad, but just is. Now, of course, it can be good and it can be bad in some instances, depending on the degree of desiring and what it causes us to do as a result.

As long as the craving that we have for something; does not turn into  coveting of other’s belongings, which then leads to stealing, harming, and even killing to get what one desires, I think craving is not such a bad thing. Indeed, craving can be good us, both individually and for society when it motivates us to do something as a result of said desiring. When we really want something that we crave it, it does us no good to just sit around and do nothing. No, we usually will get up off our asses and work towards getting what we desire. 

It is this type of hard work and motivation that springs from either really wanting something or needing it or both that has produced some of the greatest achievements of human civilization throughout history. The  telephone, television, the computer, air conditioning, and even running water; all of these are examples of what good can come from craving something if it leads to honest hard work and a determination to get what is desired.

Every great or small invention or innovation that has happened throughout history, every monument  ever built and every movement that has changed the course of human history has happened because of a craving/desire for something more, something different. Not all have been good, but a lot have. That is how craving something, if it is really strong and in your “bones” can be good if you pursue them.

So what are your desires? What do you crave?  Do you have one that just won’t leave you alone? Then get up and go pursue it, make it happen and just maybe you will change the world for the better. Remember not all cravings are bad, they aren’t necessarily good either. It all rather depends on what you do with your cravings and what results from them  that truly matter.