Should the king in exile pretend he is happy there? Should he not seek his own country? His miseries are his ally; they urge him on. Let them grow, if need be. But do not forsake the secret of life; do not despise those kingly desires. We abandon the most important journey of our lives when we abandon desire. We leave our hearts by the side of the road and head off in the direction of fitting in, getting by, being productive, what have you. Whatever we might gain — money, position, the approval of others, or just absence of the discontent self — it’s not worth it. John Eldredge
About This Quote

If we believe that we can’t be happy without a certain job, or that we can’t be happy with the amount of money we make or that we can’t be happy without getting married, then it is very likely that we will never be happy. If the king in exile pretends he is happy there, then he is not really living. His miseries are his ally; they urge him on. Let them grow, if need be.

But do not forsake the secret of life; do not despise those kingly desires. We abandon the most important journey of our lives when we abandon desire. We leave our hearts by the side of the road and head off in the direction of fitting in, getting by, being productive, what have you.

Whatever we might gain – money, position, the approval of others, or just absence of the discontent self – it’s not worth it.

Source: The Journey Of Desire: Searching For The Life We Always Dreamed Of

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