In a world of consumption, how can deprivation be seen as a good thing?
From personal experience, deprivation can help us to build gratitude, or appreciation for what we have, once it’s taken away from us.
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Deprivation of water helps me feel gratitude when I satisfy my thirst.
Deprivation of food helps me to feel gratitude towards eating.
Deprivation of sitting helps me to give gratitude for rest.
Deprivation of movement gives me gratitude for my ability to move.
Deprivation from my parents helps me build gratitude for their presence.
Deprivation of sleeping helps me give gratitude towards sleep.
Deprivation of the sun helps me appreciate the summer.
Deprivation of school helps me to appreciate learning.
Deprivation of work makes me appreciate being busy.
Deprivation of relaxation helps me to appreciate not being busy.
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In essence, whenever something is taken away from you, it helps you to build appreciation for it when it returns. Deprivation is a great tool to help you understand the important things in your life. What would happen if you deprive yourself of water? Food? Family? Friends? Work? Spending money? Sleeping? What are the consequences? If it’s really important to you, you cannot be deprived of it for long. If it’s not important, you won’t even notice it is gone.
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