Cravings are good!

Week 42 : Cravings are good!

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September has proven to be a good month for me till now, particularly in the realm of my foundation project. A few months ago, I set out with a simple goal - to complete at least one book every month. This month, I've not just met that goal; I've surpassed it by finishing not one, but three books already, and there's still nearly half a month to go. The third book I'm currently engrossed in has shed light on why I've been able to achieve this, and today's post delves into this intriguing insight.

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From our earliest days, many of us have had a fondness for sweets or fast food, making life a bit challenging for our parents as we incessantly clamoured for chocolates and pizzas. This inclination is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. What we're truly after isn't the specific food itself but the high, the profound sense of contentment it imparts. This recurrent desire to seek gratification by reliving a pleasurable experience is commonly known as "craving."

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Cravings, in essence, are our pursuit of contentment, ecstasy, and enjoyment, often associated with certain foods. Similarly, we crave the rewards yielded by our other habits. We diligently brush our teeth each day, yearning for that tingling, refreshing sensation that toothpaste provides, leaving us with a sense of cleanliness and confidence. Smokers crave the nicotine rush, while those who indulge in alcohol crave its intoxicating effects. It's safe to say that most of our habits are driven by our innate desire for deeply cherished rewards.

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Surprisingly, this very craving, this relentless pursuit of rewards, can be harnessed to cultivate positive habits, just as easily as it can lead to negative ones. People who are dedicated to fitness are essentially driven by the same mechanism as those who smoke excessively - they are both in pursuit of a reward. Smokers seek the nicotine high, while fitness enthusiasts chase the rush of serotonin that follows a rigorous workout.

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As informed adults, we can utilize this fundamental aspect of human behaviour to our advantage by establishing constructive habits. In my case, the reason behind my newfound ability to finish a book every week lies in my craving for the rewarding feeling that accompanies reading and completing a book. It bestows upon my mind a sense of achievement and virtuous accomplishment. Over the past year, I've come to relish this sensation, and now, I find myself craving it. I can't predict how long this craving will persist or if other distractions will supersede it, but for now, it's going strong.

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So, I say to my mind, "Crave on, dear friend. Crave that delightful sensation, and let me devour as many books as I possibly can."