In the pursuit of fullness of life the desire for self satisfaction is a deeper impulse in us than striving for possessions.  In the depths of every human being lie genuine and healthy sources of strength.  Therefore, it is important from the outset that we do not suppress our basic needs, but  give them the place they deserve.  This concern becomes dangerous, however, when the one and only goal we have is to satisfy our needs whether large or small to the greatest possible extent.  Quite apart from the danger of such a pursuit, we succumb to an even greater error: the belief that happiness lies in the satisfaction of all our needs.

I know people who are very happy but live in a completely different manner.  Several elderly people come to mind who with their modest pension (compared to the income of others) always have something with which to give joy to someone else.  That makes them happy.  I think of young people who face tasks which demand all of their time and energy.  They do not have time to "enjoy life" as the saying goes.  But they feel fulfilled, satisfied and inwardly happy.

In contrast I know very unhappy people whose thoughts and aspirations revolve only around themselves and who are always dissatisfied because they think that they might get the "short end of the stick" in comparison to others.

On the basis of these experiences I venture to say it is only in freedom from centering on ourselves which makes a person truly happy and free, free for others, free for love, and thereby, free for true happiness.

Just as we become aware one day that the whole universe does not revolve around the earth, but that the earth has its set orbit around the sun, so we can also experience in life a form of "Copernican revolution" when love takes possession of us.  Whoever truly loves no longer orbits around themself, but finds their center in the beloved.  Augustine said that a loving person experiences the life of the one that is loved more than their own life.  It is only true love which can free people from the undertow of graving for ever greater satisfaction of personal needs.

- "Copernican Revolution" (Symbol meditation)

Meditate on the "Copernican Revolution" in your life that opens love for God in you:
 
• The earth revolves around the sun - that establishes a secure path...
• The earth revolves on its own axis and experiences night and day without at the same time being closer or farther away from the sun...
• The earth itself is a centering point around which the moon revolves with its set path. .