Complex Numbers

En-listed

Alright, this is not something I would ever normally do, but I sign up for these challenges specifically to do things I wouldn't normally do.

PROMPT September 29th

List the top ten things you most desire in life and the top ten things you are most grateful for.

The Top Ten Things I Most Desire In Life

10. A reliable car
9. Cats
8. Travel
7. A home with a comfortable bed and good appliances
6. A reliable internet connection
5. A gaming laptop
4. Games for said laptop
3. Friends
2. Booze
1. Money

Okay, maybe #7 is cheating, but without stuff in it a house is just a house, not a home, so I assert that I can specify at least some of its contents.

And now...

The Top Ten Things I Am Most Grateful For

10. ... 1. (see above list)

Some might be wondering where "happiness" is on that list. Happiness isn't a thing. Happiness is what can emerge when what you want and what you have are the same. As has been said before, happiness isn't about having what you want, but about wanting what you have. Which is not to say I'm ecstatic all the time or anything; I do have this pesky tendency towards depression.

Besides, it hasn't been a high priority for me for a while, since I figured out that I was going to either live or not, regardless of whether I'm "happy."

But the thing is, I do have what I want. Mostly. I mean, I'm not completely complacent. The "travel" thing is kind of a sore spot for me right now, what with restrictions and all. And there are always little things I want, like, for instance, the new Jim Butcher book which I'm given to understand comes out tomorrow.

You'll also note that "love" isn't on the list. I'm entirely too cynical and jaded to put it on there. It's just not a high priority for me; previous attempts have ended badly, and you know what they say about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

So I guess my lists are very material-oriented. I'm okay with that. I made peace long ago with being materialistic. I suppose other things like health and, well, being alive should be on there as well, and they are important to me in that without being alive and reasonably healthy, I couldn't want or enjoy anything. So those should be read as the implication anchoring everything else.