Needs vs Wants

"The word Want pertains to the things that you can live without, while the term Need corresponds to the things that you can't live without". This simple statement was stuck on my head since I've heard it from one of the last few OJT (On-Job-Training) seminars I have attended way back when I was in College. The Institute conducted such seminars to prepare us for the real world after our upcoming Graduation. The main topic was about the proper management of one's daily spending to be able to save effectively.

I've been working now for almost a year after schooling and I am proud to say that I am able to apply this principle in my daily living. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to save that much yet due to my responsibilities as a bread-winner of the family but it's just so fulfilling to be able to give back to the people who supported you all the way from infancy. Haha. No words can express the joy and satisfaction I am feeling whenever I see my family happy. I'm just being patient and faithful to the Lord that I'll get to that point when I can really save enough for my own future, at the right time.

Albeit I am keeping this principle in mind, I can't help but think of myself sometimes. I want to make the most out of my earnings. Now that I have the means to spend for the things that I would really love to have, why can't I? My conscience bugs me whenever I crave for something; do I need it or I really just want it? That's just nuts!

There are things in life that you cannot live without; food, shelter, clothings, etc. These are all our needs. Satisfying them is a nature of man to sustain his/her living but wanting more becomes a vice.

Eating in a simple eatery vs Eating in a fancy restaurant

Living in a humble house vs Living in a grand mansion

Renting a regular apartment vs Renting a luxurious condo

Wearing decent clothings vs Wearing branded garments

It's not evil to fulfill our wants sometimes but we have to know our limitations. Come to think of those who don't have the means to even complete the three important meals everyday. Think of the families who are just so unfortunate to not have something to call home. Think of the people who don't have decent clothes to wear on. You might not feel responsible for them but at least reflect on the lives they are dwelling on. You're still lucky.

In consideration, depending on your profession, you might then be required to acquire some of these wants to satisfy the needs of your job. A business man needs to rent a luxurious condo in a city where regular apartments are inaccessible. A celebrity needs to wear fancy clothings to appear attractive and boost his/her image. In these cases, the wants become needs.

"I need it" is significantly different from "I want it". You might want everything in this world but you just need a few to survive. Think of this: "It feels good to satisfy all your wants in Life but it definitely feels better if you can share and satify other's needs if you have more than enough to offer".

Love vs Lust

It's hard to open a topic that you are not very familiar with. This is kind of awkward for me since I still consider myself too young to be engaged in this kind of discussion. However, I believe there is nothing wrong with this and it's a pretty healthy subject.

Will it really be possible to feel in-love without being in-lust? Love and Lust are two very opposite things; they stand by themselves. I've read a very good article from Calvary website showing the direct differences between the two. Love is a sacred thing while Lust is an absolute sin. How can Love stand without Lust? Is it really important to satisfy your Lust before opening yourself up for Love? Do you believe they complement each other in a way?

This is What I Want!

I want to share my life in all honesty. I've been through a lot already and I'm still excited to see what awaits me. I've learned lessons from the past that I will surely treasure forever. I've been bruised and wounded all over and I can never remove the scars from their places. The ups and downs, the sorrows and joys, the failures and victories; they are all part of life. Of course they are, there won't be such words if they don't exist right? We have to embrace them and learn from them. In the end, altogether they will determine our worth as a person, as a son or daughter, as a brother or sister, as a friend or as a partner. I want to share my views in life and instigate some useful learnings to other people. In return, I also want to learn from you. I want to know what you think and how you feel about things. I want to discover what's still hidden in me that I am yet to offer by listening through your opinions and judgements. I want to hear the untold stories of life. I want to hear extraordinary things from ordinary people; like everyday stories that I can live with and grow with. Life's full of surprises and I will always be thrilled to open my presents and unwrap my days with a smile.