In the airport (DTW) again. Why is it that I want to write and read so much when I'm traveling? Perhaps the change of the environment can either add or remove distraction. Single-minded concentration that is impossible for me in normal life suddenly becomes possible and practical and attractive. Perhaps this is one reason I so much like to travel.

When I walked pass the gadget store, I was thinking, what is this desire to buy things? Or, why do we want to own things? If we can pay a little money to rent/lease/use something, why does it always feel better to buy and own it, unless one has a greater desire to own money which is equivalent to owning the prospect of having things in the future? Does this desire to own things (and people) have anything to do with love, the definition of "wanting to be one with"? Do we feel a sense of expansion, enlargement, encompassment when own things? If so, this is consistent with the theory that the meaning of life lies in the desire to expand the self, and eventually be one with the Whole. However, the possession of things and people is only temporary. Only the eternal possession makes one happy--that's why having children gives people so much joy, for a child is more a permanent gift from life; also marriage which signifies true and everlasting love will give people more joy than just being together with someone. The possession of physical objects almost always ends in losing it one way or another. It gives people false impression of owning things. The secret to happiness is to unite with things and people and Self eternally. The first step is to recognize the truth. Love, and love something that's from within. Be generous on earth...

2/16/2005