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On ObsessionThe Value Of ObsessionI have been told, as I’m sure you have, not to obsess over something. Granted, at the time, that something was using up a lot of my time and requiring most of my mental energy, but I thought I was enjoying my obsession. We all obsess over little things, big things, material things, spiritual things, real things, and imaginary things. So is obsession good or bad? Let’s first define obsession, using my Webster’s Collegiate dictionary:
Now according to that definition, I have been obsessed with something or someone and at the time I never felt it was that disturbing or excessive at least to an abnormal degree. After all when we direct our attention to one specific idea or thing, that could be considered by some as obsessive. Perhaps to those around me I was obsessive and as I look back, in a much different mental state, maybe I was just a little obsessive. However, I consider occasional obsession as somewhat normal and to never be obsessed with anything as abnormal. But can we be too obsessive? If your obsession rules your thoughts and actions, then is it still normal? Is it all right to be obsessed about some things but not others? If we are obsessive in religion, is that acceptable? What about sex or love? Does the object of our obsession make it bad or good? To make a judgment we must first decide if an obsession that rules your thoughts and actions is good or bad for you. It would seem, according to the definition, that to be obsessive is to be abnormal and therefore unacceptable. Obsession implies something beyond reason, a compelled action, an inability to control one’s self in a particular area. Obsession indicates that logic and sanity are not in control but instinct or habit is. Obsession does not want to be bothered with logic only with gratification. Obsession requires gratification, whether that be in thought or in action or both determines the degree of obsession. Obsession requires a response from the obsessed person. It cannot go unnoticed. That action can be a simple thought or require more elaborate rituals and actions. There are degrees of obsession. Some obsessions can be ignored, some temporarily denied, some forgotten. Some obsessions are so persistent they make life miserable until satisfied. The search for pleasure can be an obsession. It can result in thrill-seeking, excessive drinking, and excessive sexual encounters. Some are obsessed with having a mate, some with being single, some with the latest car, others with money in the bank. Obsession is part of life: it’s the control it has on us that makes the difference. A little obsession is good because it makes us perform better, try harder, and even be more alert. Taken too far, obsession becomes dangerous to the person and to those around him or her. Obsession can become fanaticism if taken to its extreme. Obsession that overrides logic is no longer useful nor is it normal behavior. Obsessive behavior only becomes a problem when it blocks our minds, closes us to new ideas, and convinces us that we know the truth - all else is false and lies. This type behavior becomes fanaticism. Again, using Webster’s dictionary as a guide, a fanatic is:
This type of excessive obsessive behavior can be observed in all areas of life but seems to be more prevalent in politics and religion. Yes, our beliefs can become obsessions. Some will say that is good but I say it closes us off to new ways of seeing things, closes us to new ideas, and promotes fanaticism. Worse, it prevent us from investigating that belief because we cannot accept even the possibility we might be wrong or at least not quite correct. Faith in one’s self and in one’s ideals are necessary but to assume that our faith and ideals are not only acceptable but best for everyone borders on extreme obsession. Obsession destroys the exchange of ideas. It solidifies the mind and freezes thoughts. It calcifies our concepts and creates rigidity in our relationships. Obsession is the enemy of freedom because it sees freedom only in itself. Obsession with the search for truth may be acceptable but only as long as the obsession is controlled by what we find. If our obsession for truth allows us to discard what does not fit or does not seem to feel good, then truth becomes subject to obsession’s prejudice. There is a deeper often hidden problem with obsession - denial. Most of us refuse to recognize our obsessions and instead, because of our beliefs, try to bury them beneath layers of rationalizations. We refuse to except the possibility of being obsessed and, therefore, create other mental and physical problems. These problems usually become noticeable in our health later in life. Instead of trying to recognize and deal with these obsessions, we try to pretend they do not really exist. We tell ourselves these obsessions are only natural urges that need to be conquer and controlled. By burying and ignoring these obsessions instead of dealing with their underlining reasons we create mental and physical time-bombs that explode when we least expect. Recognizing these obsessions and trying to honestly deal with them we could avoid or lessen their long-term effects. Obsession avoidance in people can usually be detected because they becomes excessively judgmental in some areas or go to the other extreme of having no opinion at all. They become rigid in their attitude toward people that exhibit the behavior they’re afraid exists within themselves. Of course denial only aggravates the obsession and make it worse. Obsession is often rooted in fear - fear of being found out, fear of society’s condemnation, fear of not being perfect, and fear of being human. Obsession like fanaticism is best when taken in small, infrequent doses. Both can be helpful at the right time. Both can destroy us if allowed to rampage or if improperly handled. Author: Don Miller
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2002 Articles
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