We’re quick to name things.

• We’re quick to understand what something does.
• We’re quick to understand how it does it.
• We’re quick to understand when it does what it does.
• We’re quick to understand who does it.  
• We’re quick to understand where it is. And,
• We’re quick to try and understand why it’s in our life.  

But, and here’s the big but, we’re slow to understand, if ever, what it’s for.  

The other day I had ice cream. I didn’t need it. But, I had it.  

What was it for?  

• It wasn’t for nutrition.
• It wasn’t for satisfying hunger.
• It wasn’t for appearance.

It was for the feeling of “pleasure.”

The dopamine hit that was desperately needed.

Could I have gotten that hit elsewhere?   Sure!  

• I could have run, 
• Took a hike, 
• Explored something new, 
• Built something; or,
• Did anything that would have released the hedonistic pleasure that comes from enjoying dopamine coursing through my veins.  

But I didn’t.

I suppose, now that I know what ice cream is for, I could take a second thought before I quickly try to understand where to find it, what the best vendor is in the city, what’s on their menu, how I’ll get there…

Last modified on 2020-07-01