"It is the nature of desire not to be satisfied,

and most men live only for the gratification of it."
--Aristotle (384 B.C. - 322 B.C.)

It's suprising how powerful desire can be. It's easy to wish for something, but when that wish begins to make your vision swim, your mouth dry, you heart ache, and your emotions rise, that's the full effect of desire.

When you desire something (or someone) that belongs to someone else, that's where the trouble comes. You begin to tell little lies to yourself. "With me, that's where it belongs," or "I'm the only one who'll appriciate the true value." "No one else understands."

"No one else understands." That's the kicker. Everyone understands desire. Everyone has felt it at one time or another. Everyone knows what it's like to have desire turn to obsession. Feeling the desire so active in your brain, that if your eyes unfocus for even a second, there it is. Sit in silence for a bit, and your own voice fills your head. Walking faster to leave the whispers behind. Shaking your head, not only in denial, but to try to shake out the feelings.

It is the nature of desire and regret to go hand in hand. If desires go unfulfilled, there can be regret. Even if the desires are satiated, it's not proof against regret. It's unfortunate that there's no way to win.