25 July

When, in times long past, one looked for greater things, they were material in nature and all that comfort brings. And primitive were conditions, and hard the labour fair, and time was spent on nourishment and hygiene there.

Nowadays, for many, the toil is not for basic needs, but rather to thus occupy one’s mind and impress one’s friends. And there is no end to longing, to desires for a better life. Comfort has been well attained and basic needs have been met. Now we seek a selfish pleasure, entertainment, flashy toys, expensive gifts to give to self and brandish about with arrogant poise.

But if we stop and take a moment to see how far we’ve come, and just how much we have already, and how far from glum our lives have now become, we would, in an instant, be content to live and breathe again, free from constraints laid down by others encouraging thoughtless spending sprees.

Deep within each one of us a loneliness is there, a far-reaching pain, and lack of love for self is evident. And we know the answers to our pain lie not in gaining more of the same, but in letting go and unburdening one’s soul of earthly shackles cast in stone.

And looking ahead one can see all future needs will be met, amply, when the time is right to act. Whilst we have the basics, and time is on our side, energy can be devoted to nourishing a creative bent which will allow each individual’s talents to be grown and such joy known.

And then we will know comfort for what it truly is, warmer than an open fire in a blizzard, more sustaining than a hearty meal; the comfort of revealing one’s true self with zeal.