This quote essentially speaks to the human tendency to idealize or romanticize what seems unattainable or beyond our reach. It suggests that we often reserve our deepest affection and admiration for those things or persons that we perceive as superior to us in some way, or those that we cannot easily obtain or comprehend. This is because the distance or unattainability often adds a layer of mystery, allure, and challenge that can intensify our desire and love.
Applying this concept to the context of personal development, it could be interpreted as a motivation to continually strive for improvement. We often set high goals for ourselves, things that are currently beyond our reach, because they represent a version of ourselves that we aspire to be. This ‘self’ is placed so high above our current state that it seems unattainable, and it’s this perceived unattainability that fuels our love for the goal and motivates us to strive towards it.
In the context of today’s world, this idea can be seen in various aspects of society. For instance, in consumer culture, people often desire and love luxury products or brands that are priced beyond their reach. Similarly, in the realm of social media, people often admire and aspire to the seemingly perfect lives of influencers, which are often portrayed as being ‘above’ their own.
However, it’s important to note that while this concept can serve as a powerful motivator, it can also lead to dissatisfaction or feelings of inadequacy if one constantly compares oneself to those ‘higher’ ideals and finds oneself lacking. Therefore, while it’s beneficial to have something ’high above’ to strive for, it’s equally important to appreciate and love oneself in the present state.
