More or Less Accurate

 "Nothing can satisfy greed, but even a small measure satisfies nature. So it is that the poverty of an exile brings no misfortune, for no place of exile is so barren as not to produce ample support for a person." 

-Seneca, On Consolation to Helvia, 10.11b

"More is better." (Might as well name the elephant in the room straight away). Not necessarily the stated personal or conglomerate mission statement of the 21st century ... but it could easily be. It is the drum beat animating many individual and collective marches.

I came to be aware of the influence of this pervasive mindset, through my own personal reckoning with addiction. Even after being free of the more damning substances, I became aware that the wack-a-mole of addiction, can and will, quite readily seek more of something else.

So then, I have awareness & admission of personal life experience with addictions. I have far less concern about the "stigma" of such an admission - because I believe the stigma, belongs to those that espouse such beliefs. Those, so immersed in these beliefs, suppose that it is better to carry on in ones addiction and "save face," than to admit they are drowning in themselves.

"More".... more of what? Well.... pretty much anything! Look around you, what do you see - more relevant what don't you see? If you need some visual aid, pick up a flyer or one of those glossy-paged magazines they are stuffed full of stuff. Any or all of which, one can become convinced is the next panacea. (except it isn't... never was - never will be!) There are marketing executives, addicted to their lifestyle, that have many a sophisticated arrow in their quiver designed to manipulate and exploit; to create an itch and then present just the right scratch (just for now mind you... but that is enough .. they've got your money now! the redundancy design, will have you coming back, if not for that product - well they have a whole line of alternatives - your brand loyalty, becomes an extension of their marketing and you pay for the privilege?)

More books, more cd's (to name a couple of my personal favourites)... more exercise, more workshops, more therapy... Surely this guru - knows more (and I will be so much better, when I know what they know!!) Until their clay feet are exposed ... then what?

More money ... ya everyone agrees that would solve everything! It can be useful... it cannot in itself remedy he/she, that believes that of themselves, they are not enough; and one will have a darn sight less of it, if they keep forking it over, to all those that would have you believe they are the "more" for your "less."

How very little is really "necessary!" 

What great lengths one can go to, in order to try and prove to self and others, that "I'm okay;" or to try and get away from the self, that believes it isn't so. 

Addiction can and will destroy the individual - it will insidiously strip away everything you ever cared about. "More," will ensure you are left with less (loved ones, home, vocation, self-respect, dignity, spiritual connection, will to live - until life itself, is extinguished).

The "many" might consider being wary, that they are exempt the fate of those they see as the "few," the boat they see as their refuge, labours with the weight of their insatiable provisions - and believing themselves above the need to learn to swim - reaching shore is anything but assured.

R. O'Neill (September 30. 2020)