Desire leads to suffering.

Ahhhh yes, we can hear this truth repeatedly in spiritual circles, yet do we really heed its message?

I know I don’t.

Here’s an example…

I was at home on a Saturday watching golf. That might sound boring, but before you knew me as meditation Lou, I was in the golf industry.

Although my relationship with the sport is complicated, I still find it relaxing to watch.

Watching golf spurred in me an interest for new clubs. So I popped on Facebook marketplace to see what's around.

As someone who worked in the industry, I can spot a good deal.

Without boring you with specifics, someone was selling a set of clubs for $120 that could have easily sold for $600+.

I messaged him, confirmed that the clubs had the right specs, and told him I’d take it!

I felt the buyers’ adrenaline rush of claiming such a great deal. I told him I would come by tomorrow to pick them up.

It was settled.

Or so I thought...

I awoke on Sunday, went to yoga, came home, and enjoyed a slow relaxing morning. I figured I’d text the guy to come by in the afternoon.

At about 1 pm, I popped on the app and saw that he had messaged me a few hours earlier. He explained there was a lot of interest and asked if I could come soon.

Enough time had passed that he sold them to someone else.

The high of the perceived deal came crashing down. I let out a sigh of frustration so loud that my partner stopped what she was doing to ask me what had happened.

I told him I would take them! WTF!?

It’s been a while since I bought something on Craigslist or Facebook. I should have remembered that If you really want it, get it as fast as possible.

I should have known this was an insane deal that others would be after. Of course, I should have known better—but that’s not the point.

As I stewed in disappointment, I realized—I created this.

My desire created expectation, and my expectation led to disappointment.

In a span of 24 hours, I succeeded at making myself miserable.

Although I felt defeated, I was amused at what I got myself into.

There’s a money lesson in here as well...

“Getting a deal” makes people mad. Ever see those Black Friday videos of people mauling each other to get into a store?

Getting a deal is great, but as I thought about it, I realized I don’t need a deal. There’s an erratic scarce energy to deals and discounts, and I don’t need the stress.

Most people believe, “Why pay more when you can pay less.”

But a question you know I like is, What if the opposite were true?​

Why pay less when you can pay more?

Paying more means I value it, and have more choice and ease.

(I'm trusting the person who bought them needed it more than me.)

Nonetheless, I appreciated the lessons and the opportunity to share them with you.

Where is desire or expectation creating suffering in your life?