Desire

 Solving the equation this way, from Right Hand Side( RHS), rather than the left is the standard stoic procedure.

Pg.139 practicing stoic, Ward Farnsworth 

Standard way:

I have a desire ( LHS) -> attaining it will change my happiness     (RHS)

Stoic way: question the RHS

Do you actually need the desire?

How can you learn to leave without it?

How can you learn to live with what you have today?

Seneca also talks about this in Bookkeeping:

Are you worried about how many are ahead of you? Just think- how many are behind you? See back ; look back; observe;

Tamil poet kannadasan talks about this :

வேண்டுமென்ற மனம் விரிவடைந்து கொண்டே போகிறது 

போதுமென்ற மனம் சாகும்வரை வருவதில்லை

There are no limits to desire

Lack of contentment even at life's brink

ஆசை நின்றவுடன் சுயதரிசனம்  

சுயதரிசனம் பூர்த்தியானவுடன் ஆண்டவன் தரிசனம்

Self awareness shows up at end of desire

Godliness shows up at completion of self awareness