What do you really need?

One of my biggest fears (and one shared by many) is that I could end up unhappy and alone.

My mind has made up all kinds of potentially unfavorable circumstances that could lead to this.

My mind also has many desires (a nice home, a partner, two kids, money for travel, etc.).

Ah yes, to be human is to have an ego and to strive to attain desirable goals, possessions, circumstances.

Mind the trap, however!

Through our belief that we NEED certain circumstances to make us happy, we easily lose the opportunity to fully appreciate what we already have 

AND

We forget that joy and enjoyment are created by us-- a inside job.

Eckhart Tolle writes that "Pleasure is always derived from something outside of you, whereas joy arises from within".

Go ahead and seek pleasure, but do not expect it to fill you with joy.

Joy is sparked and flows outward when we savor our experiences; when we have love for ourselves and peace within.

It is hard to find peace and love when you are constantly trying to get more out of life.

What do you really need?