Life is a Privilege — not an Entitlement
Embrace this fundamental perspective to transform your life.
Do you think the world is unfair and cruel?
Do you find yourself displeased with your lot and position in the world?
Good! It means you’re living on planet Earth with almost 8 billion other people figuring it out too.
So many of us have this plight and anger towards the world. I get it because I have it too. It’s natural to feel that way in a world that is always showing us things we don’t have or experiences we’ll never taste.
We’re growing up in the most abundant and highest quality of life known to modern man.
So why are we angry and upset?
Our ways of perceiving the world are flawed.
Many of us have been taught this terrible idea that we DESERVE things.
Look at nature. Does the bird DESERVE the worm it catches? Does the lion DESERVE the gazelle? No.
Those animals went after what they needed. There was no thought, only instinct.
Humans, however, have all kinds of thoughts and feelings. We can contemplate and reflect. This is why we’ve been able to rise out of the animal kingdom to become the dominant species, but it has drawbacks.
Our ability to think and perceive allows us to interpret the world through our unique lens. This interpretation creates a wide disparity in our mental experiences.
When you look at the resources we have access to and the abundance of material goods in the world, it’s shocking to see how much the standards of living are. This article shows how much cheaper almost everything has become in the last century.
Access to goods and materials that were once available to only exclusive and elite communities is hugely taken for granted by our species. We adjust, and the new exciting thing becomes normal.
It’s human nature.
That’s why perspective and reflection are so important. Without them, we take everything positive in our lives for granted.
Without recognizing the limitations in our thinking, we will forever be unhappy.
We need context to understand how far we’ve come and how privileged the majority of the world is. This privilege is HUMAN. Entitlement is the antithesis of fulfillment and happiness.
Entitlement robs us of the joy and pleasure of growth. When we have the idea that we deserve something, anything not involved in having that thing creates dissatisfaction. This is basic psychology.
Something I always took to heart was the story of Booker T. Washington and how he escaped slavery, created the Tuskegee Institute, and went on to be one of America’s most influential black men in history.
His mindset was so different than the way many of us view the world now.
He taught pragmatism, self-sufficiency, and entrepreneurship to the black community. He was focused on education and empowerment. He wanted people to think for themselves and support their families. He was also a proponent of a healthy family.
Mr. Washington was a literal SLAVE yet he taught and empowered other members of his community to be self-sufficient and build a life of their own. He didn’t EXPECT things to come to him. He taught others to go out and get what they want.
He never broached the entitlement mindset as he knew life was a privilege and that the ignorance and evil of others does not mean the world is hell. He didn’t let the atrocity of slavery ruin his world. He took action and made the people around him into well-equiped humans for life.
He taught others to live a fulfilling life of action and effort.
Life is a gift to be celebrated, even though it’s hard.
If everything were smooth all the time, nothing would be enjoyable. Humans enjoy challenges and problem-solving. Our higher states are found when we’re focused and locked into a single activity.
Embracing challenges and learning new skills is the key to our happiness and fulfillment. No expectation of handouts and entitlements.
I’m not talking about situational entitlements. Sometimes everyone needs a little help to get out of a tough situation. I understand that.
I’m talking about viewing the entirety of our life from the perspective of entitlements. It’s dangerous and leads to misery. I’ve been there myself.
I had this mindset for much of my 20s and had the idea that I deserved what I wanted because I wanted it. I also watched the secret, which didn’t help this. I read all of these books on “manifestation” and wish fulfillment.
All of it left me wanting more and wondering why my life wasn’t progressing. I was angry and upset.
Eventually, I realized I needed to suck it up and do something about my life and my inner feelings. It’s a continuing process, but if we commit to taking responsibility for our lives no matter where we find ourselves and are willing to put in the work to learn and grow, we can find the fulfillment we seek.
We have to kill our entitlement first.
Then we can find the power and strength to live within us.
Life is a gift, so we need to treat it like one!