Addiction I

Don’t get me wrong, I know you are not an “addict.”

But I also know that you are addicted.

Do you know what your addictions are? What is it that you just can’t live without?

Chocolate? Ice cream? Cheese? Pizza? Wine? Vegetable tempura?

Your friends? Your family? Your home? Your car? Your photos?

A project to do? Video games? Facebook? Instagram? Your computer?

Your memories? Your intellect? Your mind? Your meditation?

Praise from others? Likes on the internet? Your quiet time or safe space?

(This is just my list. You can make your own.)

Oh, I know you aren’t really addicted to any of these things. You just “enjoy” them.

The way a smoker “enjoys” the next cigarette or the way an alcoholic “enjoys” the next drink.

No, not like that, you say. I just like them. I’m not addicted to them.

Well, how would you feel if you lost one of these things… Forever. You could never get it again or have it back!

How would your life change? Would it be no trouble at all? Or would it be painful in some way?

How would your mind change? Would you think about the loss all the time? Or would you eventually just let it go (harder with some losses than others)?

When we hold onto something, grasp it, even lightly, to maintain our happiness, we suffer, mostly unconsciously, with the fear or worry that we will lose it. Such is the nature of addiction.