I believe it is the Buddhists that have the principle that suffering is caused by want. And I have worked hard to shrink the part of my personality that wants things for purely selfish reasons. I'm not prone to be jealous of other people, or particularly avaristic or covetous. I will want things for other people, especially if I can be part of the mechanism that makes that happen. I have clear throughlines at work, for instance, where I desire a certain outcome and will work hard to get that. But that sort of want is altruistic, as it enhances the greater good.

The more selfish wants of this world quickly get wearisome. I don't really want for much that I actually need, and usually don't "need" what I think I want. If I post a picture on Facebook of a car I admire, for instance, I may have wanted it - for about a second. But the realities of ownership of that vehicle usually far outweigh the benefits of having it. So I am happy to just admire the craftsmanship and beauty in front of me. (I should be plainspoken here and say, too, that this may be how I approach relationships....and maybe that needs revision. Can I ever find myself a good partner without, at some point, coveting?)

Recently, I spotted this beautiful 1970 Cadillac DeVille Classic, wonderfully restored, near my house. Yeah, I want! I want to look at it for a long time; I want to drive it. But I don't want to HAVE it.