The Art of Loving What You Already Have

Humans are not exempt from temptation. 

Whether you are religious or not, we all know the story of Eve and the apple. 

The Danger of Wanting More Than We Have

Edmund, the seemingly overlooked middle child in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, represents that very same lust and temptation inherent within humanity. After being transported to the magical world of Narnia, cold and alone, he is met by the beautiful White Witch, who sweeps him into her beautiful carriage and offers him anything he likes. 

Without thinking, Edmund asks her for the decadent dessert– a soft, sweet, Turkish delight. The Witch creates one for him with the help of a strange and enchanting potion. This moment, although only brief, represented a moral transgression.

Edmund, in wanting this luxury and extravagance, unknowingly became a pawn in her evil plan. His emotional dissatisfaction with his own life led him to fall prey to temptation, making him forget all that he already had. 

What The Chronicles of Narnia Teaches Us About Temptation

We cannot truly judge Edmund for his foolishness, for we all are prone to overlooking our own treasures. Beyond C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, countless fairytales and books have reminded us that the grass is never really greener on the other side, and that taking things for granted often leads us on a path where we lose ourselves and all that is important to us. 

The world – fictive or not – demands that we want in excess. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes went so far as to say that humans are inherently selfish and wicked (although this is still up for debate). Continually searching for things we do not have, thinking that with each new acquisition, we will also gain a new sense of self. We garner validation from having more, from owning the newest device or accessory. Yet in a world with endless material, is there ever a point where we can own it all? And, moreover, would it even make us happy?

The answer is most likely (and unsurprisingly) no. 

Why Materialism Doesn’t Lead to Happiness

Psychological studies have consistently found that materialism has been associated with reduced levels of happiness and life satisfaction. So, even though we are told to chase more and more, we are usually most content when we want less or when we are already happy with what we have. For many of us, this acquisition of satisfaction all comes down to gratitude. Or, as the Japanese might call it, kansha. 

What Is Kansha? The Japanese Philosophy of Gratitude

Kansha is not a shallow feeling of thanks, but a deep philosophical way of seeing the world, and a profound sense of appreciation and gratitude. In everyday life, ‘grateful’ can sometimes seem like just a buzzword we throw around, but how often do we contemplate what we actually feel? Is it surface-level? Are we simply saying we are grateful for things because we believe it is the acceptable thing to say? This is not to say that our sense of gratitude is performative, just that satisfaction can only be found if we genuinely feel that our life is already plentiful enough. 

Modern Temptations: Consumerism and Identity

Those who live by their sense of gratitude are also aware that it takes constant and intentional effort. Like Edmund, we all meet the occasional beautiful White Witch. Marketing ploys that tell us we need X or Y in order to be healthier, happier, cooler, more beautiful, or more handsome.

We constantly search to build upon our identities, or rather, how we wish the world and the people around us to perceive the person we are. But what do our material possessions really say about us? Gratitude is also about grounding ourselves, being present in the moment, and reflecting upon what things or people truly matter. We have to be aware of the thoughts and temptations that call to us, so that we can gently push back against them. 

Practising Gratitude in Everyday Life

Gratitude takes discipline; it is not something we are born with but something we work towards each day. Recognising and valuing all we have does not mean stalling, it does not mean never working towards bigger goals or a different life. Rather, it is not seeing your current world as lacking or empty. Being satisfied with the present whilst steadily moving towards the future. 

How to Stay Grounded in a Culture of More

When I encounter my own ‘Turkish Delight’ type temptation, I try to ground myself in this feeling of kansha. I take out my journal – pen to paper is always better than typing on my phone – and write a list of things I’m grateful for both generally and for that specific day. It could be as simple as having someone make me a cup of coffee in the morning, or something as vital as having access to food, shelter, and warmth every day.

In these moments of fleeting dissatisfaction, I like to ask myself what I really am working towards, and whether it reflects the person I am and the person I want to be. Thomas Hobbes might have characterised humanity as inherently selfish and wicked, but I prefer to believe we want more than that. Community, people, and relationships have kept humanity alive – not material gain nor wickedness – and practising gratefulness ensures a more altruistic future for both present and future generations.