In the past years I’ve been digging into crypto currencies. I’ve been reading a few things, specially in these last months of 2021, since the latest “crypto bull run” (which means higher market prices in trading language). I’ve subscribed to several rss feeds from popular crypto/bitcoin blogs, and found a line in the following article that caught my eye.
The aforementioned post is the second one in a series that take on a book called “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life“, and try to paraphrase it and blend it into a bitcoin analogy (yes, I too think that’s a freakish consequence of bitcoin mania).
Anyway, the line I considered interesting was actually a quote from that book:
“You are something that is becoming…Everyone has that sense…that there is more to them than they have yet allowed to be realized. “
Jordan B. Peterson
And I immediately identified myself with it. I don’t know if it happens to you, my beloved readers, but it certainly does happen to me. Let me elaborate.
I am constantly thinking in what the future will be, what I will achieve, how my material possessions will increase, my knowledge and skills, my income, my wealth… I always see beyond today, a world where me, my loved ones, the things around me, everything, is better.
I don’t remember that ever before I have thought about it that purposedly, so specifically, so that I become aware of this concept or process or thing itself; I mean the action of having this goals/dreams of a better future… it’s really interesting.
It’s not exactly like I am not satisfied with what life currently is, but even if it’s good, I yearn for improvements. Doesn’t it happen to everybody?
I wrote that I am “constantly” thinking about it, yet I don’t want to overestimate the actual facts; I don’t day dream instead of functioning with normality. But truth is, those thoughts are there, no matter accomplishments, I always long for more, even more.
I don’t think it’s a bad thing to desire to be better, yet I can hear the zen crowds claiming to focus on the present, and to let go of desire. I don’t know, I believe this is a mentality that either has been introduced unconsciously by global (or western?) culture, or it’s a more basic, underlying instinct.
An epiphany! I have just made an association of this idea to conflict.
Like stories (I like writing stories), whether it’s plays, movies, novels, games or else… I think I can relate these two (yearn for better times and conflict). I’ve read several pieces of theory that argue (and my own experience drives me to concur) that, in order for a story to be relevant, interesting, and appealing (to the masses), it has to have a conflict. Protagonist wants something, yet antagonist (person, animal, thing) will prevent him/her from having it (or at least try). What will the outcome be?
What has this to do with the “better future” crave? Stay with me.
Conflict gives purpose, a meaning, a drive towards a goal, a sense of conquer. If you want to get the treasure, you need to dive to the bottom of the ocean; if you want to get the princess, you need to kill the dragon; if you want to be a great guitar player, you need to practice hard. Then comes the better future, after struggle. Some of these thoughts may seem obvious once read out loud, but it’s enlightening for me nonetheless.
Perhaps conflict, now that I think about it, is also part of this hunger-for-more, it’s like the shadow counterpart of the goal, like a complement of that dual concept, there can be no victory without clash. Even things that seem afforded with minimal effort, even great things (like hitting the jackpot) that required lesser struggles, they all should have some degree of conflict, decision making, engagement, at some point.
Does any of this make sense? I still feel like there’s much more to explore regarding these topics, yet I will end this post right here and leave future thoughts for a follow up…
Leave yours