Dear Jessica Brennan,
In the soundtrack for the movie Cold Mountain, there is a song called “Scarlet Tide”, sung by the one and only Alison Krauss, and written by Elvis Costello / J. Henry Burnett.
The line in the lyric of “Scarlet Tide” that always grabs me is, “Man has no choice when he wants everything”. Man, of course in this sense means us all.
The concept of wanting everything — it all, when I think about it, actually makes me feel ill. If “all” is all you want, then nothing is protected as precious or perfect. You have no choice, no focus, or purpose.
I have known people who seem to have it all, and all they want is more. The “all” meant to fill the void of what they need to feel good, is never enough. So they dispose of the “all” they have in favour of the new all. Beautiful homes get replaced with more beautiful homes, cars, stuff. In my experience this disposable attitude can apply to material things, but also to people. There is always a better looking partner out there or flashier friends. So these “wanting everything” types recycle their social circle and relationship every few years too.
I don’t think it is wrong to want things, but I do think it is sad to want everything. Have you ever seen a hoarder’s house? Cluttered and desperate. I wonder if it mirrors the minds of the “I want it all” set.
Love,
Mum xo
