A video doing rounds on social media has a beautiful Hindi poem, the gist of which is human being’s tendency to yearn for something not possessed. As the poem goes, when one walked to the school, the ultimate desire was to possess a bicycle that only a privileged few could afford. Passing out of school earned one a bicycle, but by that time the privileged few had bikes. On finishing college, bike came as a reward, but those privileged few had moved to a four wheeler. When years of slogging made it possible to own a car, by that time health had assumed a top priority and those privileged few could be seen going to gym on their bicycles!
It touched me deeply as instead of feeling happy and satisfied with what we have, we are always craving for something not with us or beyond us at that moment. By the time we possess it, the happiness is momentary as by that time our focus already shifts to the next thing. Or, sometimes by the time that particular thing we crave for is possessed, it has outlived its relevance.
Sometimes a few words in verse are more effective than tons of knowledge that is meant to be disseminated out of management lessons and experts.
Arvind Arya blog 
Craving for the distant object
Human society thrives on this aspect of ‘craving for the distant object’. Minimalistic living has its brownie points. However, the ‘craving’ is the root cause for development of society governed by capitalist thinking. After all, even for a life of minimalist someone has to ‘foot the bill’! It is great to be content but where should one draw the line? Just imagine, if all humans are content with ‘roti, kapda, makan’, who pays for these basic amenities?
Thus, the craving for a bicycle followed by a four-wheeler followed by an aeroplane is also the reason for humans to build these objects for satisfying the endless ‘cravings’ of humans.
So, whilst one feels content with achieving an existence that satisfies some ‘cravings’, the feeling is rarely permanent. The craving for a better house, a better mobile-phone, a long-distant journey to a far-off land etc continue. And this craving helps to create aspirations for fellow beings to provide them on a platter.
Living in society does depend on “cravings for distant objects” ….. even religious organisational heads thrive on those who ‘foot the bills’ by dint of cravings for more.
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It’s beautifully expressed the way only you can.
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