Wants VS Needs

I had a great revelation the other day while out on my run!! I did not want to be out running. I had done everything I could think of to keep myself from putting on my shoes and going out the door. And finally, I just told myself, “You really NEED to get out there and run.”

So while I was out, I started thinking about the idea of our wants vs. our needs. Remember when our kids were little, and we talked about only buying them things that were needs? Wants were for special occasions.

So it’s really the same thing as an adult. Of course, we should all live frugally and only buy what we really need. Saving the wants for special occasions. This concept goes deeper than that. We should always go with our needs in every situation!!

So many choices in our world today!

I need to take care of my body as I age. Therefore, I need to exercise and eat correctly. I may want to eat an entire pizza or a plate of cookies, but I need to consume those treats in moderation.

Every Tuesday afternoon this month, I’ve gone to a class to be a docent at a nearby museum. I guess it’s my age and the fact that I stay home alone so much, but I’ve gotten a small bit of anxiety as the afternoon class approaches each Tuesday. I do so much by myself in this new life. I usually go to something and don’t know a soul there. So there were a couple of times this month that I really wanted to stay home, but I knew that if I desire to be a docent, I need to go.

There are some Sundays when we would much rather stay at home than go to church. I may want to stay in my PJ’s all day. However, I know that I need to be fed with the word of God, and so most of the time, when I feel that way, I get myself up and dressed and go.

A synonym of “need” is essential. I love to think about that. We should always do what is essential for the life we are creating for ourselves.

A synonym of “want” is a desire, a fancy, a craving. Most of the time, what I fancy is short-lived.

I love that definition because I can relate to it so much in my life. Am I going to live a life based on my fancies, my cravings– my wants, or am I going to live my life based on what is essential to an abundant life?

How about you? What is needed in your life today? Are you willing to do what it takes? It’s not easy, but it is so worth it in the end.