"Illusion is needed to disguise the emptiness within." -Arthur Erickson
When asked what surprised him most about humanity, The Dalai Lama said:
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Someone told me once, "Everyone has a hobby that they're willing to spend more money on than the average person". It made me think of all of the times that I thought someone else's hobby was a waste of time and money. Then I got to thinking about all the things I had spent my time and money on. Would most people consider my hobbies a waste of time and money also?
Maybe so, or maybe not. The more important consideration is why we pursue the things we pursue. It all goes back to that deep feeling of incompleteness. Something that has been described before as an inner-hole we all have. We all find different ways to fill that inner-hole, some productive and some destructive. Hard work, church, golf, alcohol, drugs, video games... how do you fill your inner hole? Where does your free time and money flow to?
Use the inner-hole you have to propel you forward in life. Use that feeling of incompleteness to learn a useful skill, start a business, or donate your time to a worthy cause. Afterwards you will feel more complete than if you pacify your inner-hole with empty purchases, alcohol, and passive entertainment. The inner-hole is the force behind your motivation. To be successful is to understand and manage this force. Without taking control of your inner-desires you will never gain the momentum to accomplish great things.
