Now Choose Life

Choose Life in the after- after the spouse dies, after the marriage ends, after the kids leave

  • Grief
  • Books
  • Food
  • Travel
  • What I Wore
  • links
  • Faith
  • Home
  • Favorite Things

Wants VS Needs

October 28, 2019 by Sharon

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.

The need is usually of eternal value and always more important 
 than the temporary desire of  a “want.”

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.

It reminds me of the definition of self-discipline that I’ve heard many times. —  Self- discipline is:                         Doing what you don’t want to do so that you can do what you do want to do.

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?

I pray that the majority of the time, I pick my needs!!

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. 

Filed Under: Faith

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

After her husband’s sudden and unexpected death, Sharon McCuistian found herself a widow at the age of 48. With two grown children in college, Sharon had to find a way to live in her new reality. She turned to the things she loved to help in her grief: faith, family, and friends. Her love of words and writing became the cathartic venue by which she began to process her loss. It is through her grief journey that Now Choose Life was born. Read More

Follow Me On

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!

It’s Wednesday! The Peak of the Week. Here are some things piquing my interest on this beautiful day!! What’s piquing yours? First, sadness, funk- throw in some sorrow. That’s what’s been going on with me this past week. A friend’s breast cancer diagnosis, Texas family dealing with the unprecedented weather, someone we love being hospitalized- […]

Claiming My Blog In Bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Follow my blog with Bloglovin Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!

It’s Wednesday! The Peak of the Week. Here are some things piquing my interest on this cold, snowy day!! What’s piquing yours? If you follow me on Facebook or IG, you probably saw my post about thinking of Texas. My son sent me this picture of our house in Texas. I’ve never seen it covered […]

Faux Fur Vests- Practical & Stylish

Faux fur vests are practical and stylish. I have several that I love and wear all the time. Don’t forget- laying is the way to dress for cold weather. Remember when Torey Burch’s ex- husband started a business that seemed to be in direct competition with her clothing line? Well, I do! Just like a […]

Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!

Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!

Recent Posts

  • Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!
  • Claiming My Blog In Bloglovin
  • Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!
  • Faux Fur Vests- Practical & Stylish
  • Things Piquing My Interest On This Peak Of The Week!

Follow Me On

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021