Are You Addicted To Something That Doesn’t Even Exist?

Hi, my name is Peter, and I’m an addict.

I’m addicted to security.

Security in my job, finances, relationships, lifestyle, health, social status…

I can never get enough security, and I’ve discovered the reason: Security doesn’t exist.

I guess I’m addicted to the feeling of security then.

I feed my addiction using a number of things:

• How many cool stories I have to tell.
• How good my performance reviews at work are.
• How high my grades have been.
• How much I’ve traveled.
• How good at making friends I am.
• How much people admire me.
• How good I am at public speaking.
• How successful I am at my work.
• How much money is in my savings account.
• How many people are reading this blog post.

Here’s the problem. None of that is real security. None of it makes me safe.

Where do you look for your security?

Does any of it really make you safe?

Think back to goals you’ve set and achieved. Accomplishments you thought would make you feel secure. A salary. A relationship. An award.

Now that you’ve accomplished it, are you secure?

The richest people in the world have gone broke.

The healthiest people in the world have become sick.

The smartest people in the world have lost their minds.

The best athletes in the world have grown old.

The biggest celebrities in the world have fallen from grace.

And everyone–rich and poor, young and old, smart and dumb–all kinds of people that have ever lived have lost their lives to freak accidents, crime, and natural disasters.

Nobody is secure.

But every day, I desperately desire security.

Which means I live my life every day full of a soul-crushing emotion: Worry.

What if I were to just stop every once in a while–stop worrying, let go, and experience a life without the need for this mythical “security?” Then maybe I’d open my eyes and see the world for what it is. A beautiful piece of art. An incredible experience as long as I’m blessed to be here.

“Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don’t try to figure anything out. Don’t try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.” – Tilopa

It’s time to end our addiction.

“For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe.” – Larry Eisenberg

Here’s a final thought to chew on (feel free to chew on it by commenting):

If security doesn’t exist, can INSECURITY really exist?

Maybe, just maybe, every little thing actually is going to be all right.