The great killing machine of industriousness: gratefulness

 The great killing machine of industriousness: gratefulness 

(and the dangers of considering small victories with total satisfaction)

Agreeing with the definition which being grateful means acknowledging what one may have, feeling appreciation and considering yourself lucky with only a drop of satisfaction would be coherent with the way most people see gratefulness. Then, the sentiment on its own wouldn’t be negative to the psychic. And it is not. But If this is so, how could such a positive feeling ever cause any harm?

Satisfaction is an integral part of gratefulness; these concepts are indissociable and inevitable. Satisfaction directly threatens industriousness, as we won’t work and fight our battles if the feeling of satisfaction (coming from gratefulness) is too high. 

 It is the satisfaction that’s causing an issue here. I believe there is often an “under scent” of peace in satisfaction. It mainly comes from the contrast of human states going from action to plenitude in a short span of time (the moment the goal is reached). 

And what would one do when war is over? When their life is submerged in peace? When happiness becomes louder than all your unreached and left-out dreams crying in desolation? 

What usually happens is simply a loss of interest in «fighting ». Because, of course, why fight when there is no battle happening?

Here lies the almost unseeable part of the problem. For as long as we will pursue life on Earth, there will always be a battle meant to be fought. 

A battle should not be viewed as exclusively negative. Industriousness is a power that «capable» individuals possess, permitting a goal-achieving train of life. Learning is a constant battle. Getting educated, loving, and even taking care of health are only some examples of positive battles that need to be fought in order to achieve “ the good life.” 

   

If I had to reach my point quicker, I would state that when achieving a set goal or receiving a wanted and desired opportunity, we tend to be grateful. (partially due to indoctrination, but also because it is in human nature to limit the moments of fighting the more we can, gratefulness being simply an excuse to do so). And once we are grateful, we may be so contemptuous and complete that the idea of diminishing our industriousness becomes tempting. 

Not having something to vividly chase or fight for a stone-strong reason inevitably makes humans weaker in the long run. 

A hungry dog will dig deeper and harder to find a bone than one with a full stomach. So, being careful with the feeling of satisfaction linked to our work is critical for success. 

Some may argue that this type of contempt, which I run from like the plague, would be THE goal. This internal peace, the loss of needing to fight, and plenitude are the ways to happiness. 

 Now, as hard as it is to argue against this point, I will remind you that there are battles that inevitably need to be fought to reach happiness. This is not an essay about the theme of happiness; therefore, it is more than useless to argue about it. 

Yet, considering the battles I've mentioned earlier, the mandatory ones. Those of physical and mental health, as well as the battles for knowledge, how could we permit the stating that a life without fights is a good life? It’s in our essence to fight; nothing wrong about it. Primal in human nature and mandatory for extra-personal development. 

Every minute of every day, our bodies fight against parasites, viruses and diseases. It is nature in its purest form, so why would it be wrong to fight on an intellectual level? 

After the response, how can we, in all consciousness, feel grateful knowing the dangers that come with it?? 

Don’t stop digging just because you feel like you’ve had enough in your little bowl. Only dogs do so.