6 Ways to Stop Grasping for Less Stress and More Joy
Is constant grasping for life satisfaction leaving you stressed and disenchanted? Free yourself with these life-altering strategies
Desires are the basis of life. Without the desire to eat, to drink, to procreate, to protect and to nurture, life wouldn’t exist today. But, when desiring knows no end, craving and grasping take over.
Grasping is motivated by a craving to get and keep more of something which, interestingly, cannot completely quench the raging craving even when it’s obtained.
Since grasping always has a way to make the prize more satisfying and more enticing than what it actually is, inevitably, satisfaction is short-lived. When the prize is won, the mind hops on in search for the next thing to cling onto, or for more reasons to retain or accumulate more of the desired object.
Due to the nature of grasping, stress, fear and lack are never far behind. Stressed for not being able to get the object of desire, the fear of losing it when you’ve got it and the nagging sense that it is never quite enough are not unfamiliar to people with strong grasping.
And craving and grasping don’t just apply to things or foods, they work equally well on people too.
Do you find yourself habitually acquiring new things or partners for satisfaction, only to end up with what you started with, or sometimes feeling worse? Then here are a few suggestions to rein in your craving and grasping instinct:
1. See the Consequences Clearly
-
Being able to see clearly the consequences of grasping in your life is half the battle won. Answer the following questions as truthfully as you can:
How much stress I’m experiencing now is the result of my efforts to quench my endless craving and grasping?
How have my grasping affected my health, my quality of life and/or my relationship with the people around me?
Now think of the money you’ll save, the lighter financial burden and free-up time for family, friends and health-promoting exercises when you cut the time, energy and money spent on satisfying your craving:
What changes would I see in my life if I can better manage my craving and grasping?
Seeing a better you ahead of yourself will give you the motivation to win the war against bottomless wants.
2. Don’t Bite that Bait!
-
Be very skeptical of the imagery that your grasping mind conjured up to make the object of desire appears more attractive than what it really is. More often than not, our mind works like a polished salesman who cleverly exaggerates the benefits while downplaying the flaws. Balance the rosy picture with your past experiences and/or real-life accounts of people who are familiar with the object you wanted so badly. Is it really as good as you think it is?
3. Get a Reality Check
-
Give yourself a reality check to make sure you are after something you really want by going through this checklist:
Can I do without it?
Is there something else that I have that works like it?
Do I really need it?
Can I afford it?
If you answer yes to the first two questions, or no to the last two questions, forget it!
4. Appreciate What You’ve Got
-
When your mind is constantly pining for the next best thing, it’s easy to overlook the things you already have and take them for granted. If you’re eying the to-be-released phone with new fancy features, there are probably apps that can perform the same functions just as well. Accessories could also give your existing phone a new lease of life without having you to spend more on a brand new one. Learning to appreciate the things around you more can help you to lessen your craving for shiny new toys.
5. Weigh the Real Cost
-
Grasping doesn’t just ‘photoshoped’ the flaws, but it also tends to oversimplify the cost of getting and owning what you think you need. Consider any hidden or recurring costs that may be lurking behind your next acquisition. Is there a long-term cost involved? Are you willing to bear the cost, possibly for the rest of your life? Don’t end up regretting your decision after you’ve woken up from your sweet dream.
6. Seek Within
-
Stop seeking peace, joy and happiness beyond yourself. No external thing can bring lasting joy. As cliche as this may sound, true fulfillment is only found within. Religions such as Buddhism have been harping on this since the day they started. But you don’t have to join a religious group in order to find that out. You can start by meditating in the comfort of your home to access the peace and joy that are within you. Learn to be your own wellspring of contentment.
Add Your Comment
Let us know what you think via Facebook, or with the online form below. Comments are moderated before appearing here. See additional information about comments.
