Here’s a quote from The Conqueror by Jan Kjaerstad
Supposing one were a conqueror – what would one win? The world? A little peace of mind? A name? Immortality? Oneself? Power? Women? There were times in Jonas Wergeland’s life when he felt there was only one thing worth striving for: health. To be fit and well.
What do you think? Do you agree with Jonas? What do YOU think is worth striving for?
Heroes Not Zombies 
seems like what we want is all dependent on what we don’t have. It’s like we don’t even think about what we DO have.
That comment immediately brought a movie scene to mind. (I use movie clips a lot when teaching medical students and other doctors)
Have you ever seen The Life of David Gale with Kevin Spacey in the lead role? In the opening scene we see him on Death Row giving his last interview to a journalist. He starts his story with a scene from his work at University where he taught philosophy. If you’ve got the DVD go have a listen to that short extract from his lesson in the lecture theatre. It’s exactly what you’re talking about……how desire is for what we don’t have
No, I haven’t seen that movie, but it sounds interesting to hear more on the subject. Personally I struggle with this issue too, and I’ve found that drawing and making paintings helps me stay “here and now” with the world that I’m immediately immersed in. If there is no appreciation of surroundings, and no attention to detail, then I most certain can’t make any decent artwork. There is a quote by Andrew Wyeth, “One’s art goes as far and as deep as one’s love goes”. I think it’s true for any creative task, and who can love when we’re wishing for something else?