Introduction: Never Enough

We have developed sophisticated systems of technology, production, transportation, and leisure in our never-ending chase for more. We enjoy comforts unparalleled in history. But with the advancement (larger houses, fantastic gadgets, and faster transportation), our anxiety remains.

We still don’t have enough. We desire more. Inventions haven’t stopped—they accelerated. The latest iPhone has exciting new features, new cars have technology advanced luxuries, and modern entertainment thrills with ever more excitement. But not all is well in modern society. Mental illness, destructive relationships, racism, war, environmental decay and crime continue to plague the earth. Is life better today than a hundred years ago? In many ways we can answer with a resounding, “yes.” But in other significant measurements maybe not. We are still grappling for more.

Corporate greed fueled the 2008 recession. However, greed runs much deeper than a few bad corporations run by a few greedy CEOs. Greed runs through the veins of our society.

Rushworth M. Kidder, an American author, ethicist, and professor, wrote:

“The public is coming to understand that corporate greed, fraud, and deception aren’t caused by a few bad people at the top. They’re the product of pervasive atmospheres of irresponsibility far larger than any single individual. If the problem lies not only with leadership but with followership, not only with individuals but with communities, then what’s needed is not a moral makeover at the top but an ethical climate change throughout the organization. What’s needed, in other words, is a wholesale effort to create cultures of integrity” (Kidder, 2009).

Greed is Never Satisfied

The mountains of wealth have done little to quench the greed. The nagging feeling of lack interrupts pleasures in the moment. Oddly, dissatisfaction is a blessing. The gift of dissatisfaction is an inherent part of our humanity. If I have one hundred dollars, I want a thousand. If I have a thousand, I want a million.

​Perhaps, feeling satisfied is so seldom experienced that if feels uncomfortable. Deep in our cells, we can’t stand being content, satisfy a desire, and the freed cognitive space searches for the next thing we don’t have—but want. We want more regardless of what we have.

I believe these feelings are normal; we must create space to manage the pesky feelings of greed, recognizing their existence, and thoughtfully managing by placing healthy limits. Finding peace with what we have and then dwelling in extended satisfaction requires effort; purposely entertaining thoughts of gratitude.

Perhaps, we should consider satisfaction differently. Instead of constantly chasing some emotional state that never can be eternally present, appreciating satisfaction like waves of the ocean; an ebb and flow, coming and going.

Greed Throughout Human History

The destructive forces of greed have left an indelible mark on human history, permeating the rise and fall of numerous civilizations. Across time and place, the insatiable desire for wealth and power has wrought havoc, leading to the decay and downfall of once-great societies. William Glasser, M.D., architect of choice theory, wrote that human greed has “destroyed prosperity in every modern society the world has ever known” (Glasser, 1999).

The relentless pursuit of resources, driven by unscrupulous individuals consumed by greed, has torn at the very fabric of our social structures. This flaming desire for accumulation has led to the unethical hoarding of wealth and resources, all while callously disregarding the plight of the hungry and the suffering of the unsheltered. The consequences of such actions resonate through the ages, serving as poignant reminders of the destructive impact of unchecked greed.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi warns that greed has generally taken “precedence over prudence, and that it is now driving us to destroy the environment upon which life depends” (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).

​Greed ruins individuals, families and societies.

​​Many Seek Wealth by Appeasing Others’ Greedy Desires

​​Many flaunt some magical enlightenment, a state of satisfaction and peace. Some I believe have achieved a “higher” state of mind. Many, however, struggle like the rest of us and greedily want to sell their book or a program, hoping your money will quell their constant desire for more.

​They market their discovery as wellness; but really they just want their portion of our discretionary spending money. I’m skeptical. I believe that becoming rich from selling secrets of success is a side hustle often used by those trying to succeed elsewhere in their lives. Erich Fromm wrote that by advertising “installment plan systems, and many other devices the individual’s “greed to buy more and newer things is stimulated to the point that he can rarely have enough money to satisfy these ‘needs’” (Fromm, 1955).

I’m certain some are sincere, successful people with great wisdom; but most, I have found, struggle the same as the rest of us. They try to capitalize on a dream that they have yet to realize themselves.  Certainly, they stumble and hurt just like the rest of us. They preach a path to joyous riches, hoping to satisfy their own sense of lack. False prophets, greedy entrepreneurs and optimistic dreamers prey upon humanities unrelenting drive for more. As long as we sense lack, others will try to capitalize on those feelings.

​Desire Motivates Growth

​Biological drives pass from generation to generation because they serve a purpose—a survival value. Driven for more, people develop spiritually, physically and intellectually. We become more competitive than those who settle. Driven to succeed, we become more viable, gathering resources and mental capacity to manage a complex world. The feelings of inadequacy motivate some creative solutions.

Desire plays a crucial role in motivating personal growth by acting as a driving force that propels individuals to improve and make changes. It is the underlying motivation that fuels the willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone and engage in new experiences or learning opportunities. Here’s how desire can lead to personal growth:

• Motivation: Desire provides the motivation to pursue goals, learn new skills, and strive for self-improvement.
• Direction: It gives direction to personal development efforts, guiding individuals towards areas they are passionate about.
• Persistence: The desire to grow can help sustain effort over time, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.
• Openness: A strong desire for personal growth encourages an open mind, which is essential for learning and adapting.
• Change and Adaptation: To function in an ever-evolving world, the desire to grow and adapt is necessary.
• Overcoming Stagnation: Without the desire to grow, life can feel stagnant, leading to dissatisfaction and unfulfillment.

In essence, desire is the catalyst for personal growth, providing the energy and purpose needed to embark on and persist in the journey of self-development. However, we must tame this drive. Often, we seek more than we need, sacrificing other enjoyments and necessities for flourishing.

​​Taming Greed and Desire

​​The compulsion to achieve and accumulate only provides momentarily satisfaction just when goals are reached. The slight breath of relief is quickly engulfed with another target, interfering with prolonged enjoyment; the thirst is only temporarily quenched. We want more money, status, power, security and peace.

But is that what life is always about, constantly chasing a bigger and better dream, a fatter wallet, and a bigger office? The pursuit may serve as a distraction to other broken areas—social ineptitudes or critical self judgments. The healthy drive then morphs into an unhealthy adaptation. Instead of encouraging development, it blinds and misdirects.

Preventing greed from ruining our lives involves cultivating a mindset of contentment and practicing behaviors that counteract greed. Here are some strategies based on various sources:

• Recognize Greed: Be aware of greedy tendencies and acknowledge when they arise.
• Understand the Root Causes: Reflect on what drives your desires, such as insecurity or fear.
• Practice Gratitude: Regularly express thankfulness for what you have, which can diminish the constant longing for more.
• Embrace Generosity: Share with others and engage in acts of kindness, which can reduce selfishness and hoarding behaviors.
• Adopt an Abundance Mindset: Believe that there is enough for everyone, which can alleviate envy and the need to accumulate excessively.
• Mindfulness: Stay present and aware of your thoughts and actions to avoid mindless consumption.
• Moderation: Practice self-restraint in your spending and consumption habits.
• Set Priorities: Focus on what truly matters in life, like relationships and personal growth, rather than material possessions.
• Volunteer: Giving your time to help others can provide perspective and fulfillment beyond material wealth.
• Educate Yourself: Learn about the negative impacts of greed on individuals and society to reinforce your commitment to avoiding it.

By integrating these practices into daily life, you can work towards a balanced lifestyle that prioritizes well-being over wealth and possessions

​Navigating Difficult Emotions

​Desires, impulses and emotions encourage healthy action; but sometimes our internal guidance system is battered from the storms of living, and broadcasts faulty markers. With wisdom we can still navigate the mazes of helpful and hurtful emotional pulls. We can view our thirst for more, as other emotional tugs, treating the emotion simply as information for us to examine. Sometimes a deep breath, or quiet contemplation can reveal the rascal impulse for what it is—a blend character and past programming.

The feelings that motivate to act, often don’t demand immediate action. We can pause and allow wisdom to intervene. The urges for action, like waves of the sea, come and go. They ebb and flow back and forth. We see much clearer when the wave of emotion recedes, and the yearning no longer demands immediate action.

Associated Concepts

• Materialism: This focus often misleads us to believe that happiness can be purchased through possessions. However, research shows that true fulfillment comes from meaningful relationships and personal growth rather than accumulation of goods. A shift in focus from material wealth to nurturing inner well-being fosters lasting happiness and overall life satisfaction, emphasizing experiences over possessions.
• Relative Deprivation: This refers to feelings of being deprived that are derived from comparison with better off others rather than objective feelings of lack.
• Compulsive Buying Disorder: This disorder, often referred to as oniomania or shopping addiction, is a chronic, repetitive impulse control disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to purchase goods despite serious negative consequences.
• Hedonic Treadmill: This refers to our human tendency to promote positive affect, expecting that positive states will become a stable state. The hedonic treadmill describes our adaptations that returns us to a normal state, leaving us chasing happiness.
• Miswanting: This refers to the phenomenon of desiring or pursuing things that do not contribute to one’s long-term happiness or well-being. It involves a disconnect between what an individual believes will make them happy and what actually brings them fulfillment.
• Anticipatory Joy: This refers to the excitement or pleasure experienced in anticipation of a future positive event, achievement, or experience. It is the emotional state that arises when one looks forward to something enjoyable or fulfilling. Anticipatory joy can enhance overall well-being and contribute to a positive outlook on life.
• Bugental’s Five Givens of Being: This theory posits that there are fundamental aspects of the human condition that inevitably lead to existential anxiety.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

​We don’t have to be a slave to every craving. As our relationship between feeling and action matures, and we gain a wider perspective, the momentary crashing of desire loses some power. We know the momentary demand for action is an illusion. The decision can wait for a calmed mind and practical evaluation.

We benefit from drives to improve—better relationships, more self-esteem, increased compassion and security. We should pursue growth by refining skills and chasing opportunities. But personal growth, doesn’t promise perpetual satisfaction. We can never quench the thirst of greed and desires; the biological urge to obtain more continues to prod and push; underneath our emotional system continues to influence behaviors. We can adjust some emotional settings through mindful thought—but not eliminate vexing emotions.

​We must live with our biological inheritance. If we don’t, we will constantly fight the unmovable walls of existence. By realistically accepting the parameters, we comfortably move with the flow of life, experiencing the ebb and flow of emotions, regulating reactive emotions and responding with behaviors that bring joy.

Last Update: October 29, 2025