Desire makes everything blossom...

That’s a beautiful line from Marcel Proust, and it captures something profound about human longing and fulfillment. Let’s break it down and expand on its meaning:

1. Desire as a Creative Force

When we desire something—a dream, a person, a goal—it fills us with energy. Desire awakens our imagination, lets us see possibilities, and pushes us to grow. Like a flower budding in spring, desire makes life feel vibrant and alive. There’s anticipation, wonder, and hope.

In this stage, the mind often idealizes what it longs for. The object of desire appears radiant, even larger than life, precisely because it has not yet been attained. The tension between what is and what could be fuels creativity and movement.

2. Possession as a Dissolving Force

Once desire is fulfilled and the object is possessed, the magic often begins to fade. What was once glowing in imagination now becomes ordinary in daily life. The mystery is gone. What was once exciting becomes routine.

Possession can dull appreciation because it ends the chase, the uncertainty, and the longing that made the object so compelling. What once blossomed in the imagination may begin to wither under the weight of familiarity.

3. A Commentary on Human Nature

Proust isn’t necessarily saying we should never attain what we want. Instead, he’s pointing to a truth about human psychology: we are often more stimulated by the pursuit than by the possession. Desire sustains vitality; fulfillment risks boredom.

This tension is visible everywhere:

• Romance: The thrill of early love is full of longing and imagination, while long-term relationships can risk losing that spark unless renewed consciously.

• Material possessions: A new car, phone, or house excites us at first but quickly blends into the background of daily life.

• Ambitions: Achieving a long-sought career goal brings joy, but also leaves us wondering “what’s next?”

4. The Deeper Lesson

Proust may be encouraging us to value desire not just as a temporary lack, but as a vital source of beauty and growth in itself. Rather than rushing to extinguish desire with possession, we can learn to savor longing and let it enrich our lives.

It’s also a subtle reminder to practice mindfulness and gratitude: to not let possession drain the joy from what we once longed for. If we can carry desire’s energy into possession—by seeing the familiar with fresh eyes—we may prevent withering and sustain blossoming.