With a rebel yell, she cried more more more

The first time I heard about Claim Jumper was in the book
"Skipping Towards Gomorrah" by Dan Savage. In his chapter on gluttony, he got high and went to Claim Jumper; as this restarant of myth serves food (meant for one) in servings that would feed small armies.

Because of this notoriety, I was curious to go to Claim Jumper and got my wish today. To illustrate the egregious amount of food per serving, I will tell you about the chocolate cake. Say a person were to take a round cake pan and bake one layer of cake. Then that person iced and cut up the cake, stacking each peice upon the next. That one "slice" (of 6 layers of cake) is equal to one "slice" of chocolate cake at Claim Jumper.

While my apartmentmate and I just spent money at this establishment, it was as a matter of curiousity for me. I wondered why it was so wonderous to be given more than one needs. Why is it that we always want extra?

When I go to the library, I have a list of about 20 books that I want to read. My first instinct is to get every one of those books because of a need I have to surround myself with as much as possible. I know I cannot read 20 books in 3 weeks, I've tried many many times.

Is it an innately human urge to crave more? Are we born with the idea that we continuously deserve more? Or is it something we are taught, an addiction born even from the first taste of obtaining more than we need? Why can't we be happy with "enough"?

I'd like to see what I do need as a necessity. I wish I could only want what I need. I don't need all that I buy from the grocery store. I don't need to eat out as much as I do. My compulsion for more has so quietly crept up on me awaiting my next overindulgence, my forthcoming stomachache.

The demand for more infects every level of life. More space in our houses, bigger and faster cars, more bang for our buck, more 'things' to own (even at a lower quality), more love, more more more. What is there is never enough, it seems. A person cannot count their blessings unless they extend to both hands and toes.

Can I rid myself of this ambition? Can I learn to adore and revere moderation? I only want enough. How much do I need to cut back?

What I've learned is that by just wanting what I need, it is easy to afford to shop at Whole Foods. If I just buy enough or even less than I think is necessary, I could even save money (as well as saving time, being happier and listening to my needs rather than my wants). We all could.