Need Vs. Want, A Fight To The Death

If you're looking for someone to tell you how many more days until Christmas, you best look elsewhere.

So all week I have been planning on posting a paper I wrote a couple years ago about childhood obesity. I was reminded of the paper when talking to a friend, and thought it would make a great rant. I "knew" exactly where the file was, so I didn't bother looking for it until mere hours before the rant was to be published. Now, here we are. 7 hours until the deadline and the research paper has vanished from all forms of digital storage.

In case you didn't already surmise, this rant is going to be brief and thrown together. But this is a topic I have been meaning to write about for some time, so hopefully I can get some type of point across.

Children often use the word "need" for food, toys, or other items they see in commercials. At first it is kind of cute, but it quickly becomes annoying as the child begins to throw major tantrums. That is all part of growing up.

However, its when an adult constantly feels like they "need" things that it becomes really bothersome. I'm not sure if it is a false sense of entitlement, if it's because we as a country are spoiled brats, or if it is the failure of their parents, but adults that can't distinguish the difference between "want" and "need" really have issues.

Everyone wants something. It's those wants that keep us going. We have goals and desires that we strive to achieve. And there is nothing wrong with that. If you want a better house, a better car, a better hair style, you do what needs to be done to reach that goal. But for those people that feel they need a better house, better car, better hair style, they generally become bitter and annoying. They "need" this thing, therefore it is owed to them and it's unfair to keep them from it.

It's late, I'm tired, and I want to sleep, so I'm not going to elaborate. Bottom line, its fine to WANT better things, or even things you don't have that you can really use. But just recognize the difference between NEED and WANT. If you want it, do what you have to do to get it. But don't try to convince yourself and others that it is something you need to justify your lack of effort. Just as you tell a child that is throwing a fit about not having the latest Barbie doll, "the only things you NEED are food, water, and air!"

Cya in 7