The life race.

A nice story I heard about the life race. The race where the finish line always seem to drag further away from us. The race we keep on running.
Society today is in a race, because we are unable to distinguish the differences between our needs and our wants. Most of us have our needs, and having the capability to be satisfied and content with what we have, we run a never ending race to fulfill our wants.  It is NEEDS vs WANTS.

There used to be a woodcutter in a forest, he usually cuts some wood in the morning and spends the remaining of day relaxing with his family. One day a person walked up-to him and said,
Person: why don't you cut more wood and buy a lorry
Woodcutter: and then ?
Person: Then you can sell more wood and make more money
Woodcutter: and then ?
Person: then you can buy more lorries and sell more wood making more money
Woodcutter: and then?
Person: Then you can build a nice big house and put your own employees to work
Woodcutter: and then ?
Person: then you will have more time to relax and spent time with your family
Woodcutter: I worked in the morning, now I am relaxing and have time to spend with my family.

This is a good story for the needs vs wants scenario. Usually we compare ourselves with others and that is when wants arise. A man walking on bare foot will be happy the way he is until he sees someone riding a bicycle and then he feels he is suffering. Suffering is always a personal judgement, one we make up relating to others.

- May all beings be well and happy.