Wanti Wanti Cyan Getti, Getti Getti No Wanti

The Wisdom of Wanting Less and Appreciating More

The Grass Ain’t Always Greener

We’ve all done it. Looked across the fence, the screen, or the street and thought, “I wish that was mine.” Maybe it’s the dream car, the promotion, the perfect partner, the luxury vacation. Maybe it’s as simple as a moment of peace that seems out of reach.

And yet, those who have what we long for? Some of them barely notice the blessing.

“Wanti wanti cyan getti, getti getti no wanti” — this Jamaican saying captures that eternal tension between desire and contentment. It translates to: “Those who want it, can’t get it; those who get it, don’t want it.”

It’s a hard truth that applies to love, work, wealth, family, health, and freedom. And it asks us, gently but firmly: Are you truly valuing what you already have? Or are you chasing shadows while ignoring your light?

Let’s dig into how this saying speaks to our everyday lives at home, at work, and in our communities, and how embracing its wisdom can bring joy, peace, and power.

It describes how human beings often overestimate the value of what they don’t have and underappreciate what they do. It encourages a mindset shift:
From craving → to contentment
From envy → to gratitude
From comparison → to presence

It’s not telling you not to want better for yourself. It’s asking you to recognize whether your desires are rooted in lack or love. Are you trying to fill a void? Or are you expanding from a place of gratitude?

At Home, it calls us to cherish the familiar. How many couples fall apart because one or both partners stop seeing the beauty in the ordinary? How many children feel invisible while their parents scroll and stress? Sometimes we don’t realize how sacred our everyday moments are until they’re gone. Here’s are some suggestions on how to live this proverb at home:

• Create a gratitude habit: Share 3 things you appreciate about your family every night before bed.
• Honor the “boring”: The fact that you can laugh over tea or cook dinner together is a privilege someone else is dreaming of.
• Appreciate your space: Whether it’s a mansion or a rented room, clean it like a palace. Treat it with joy.

Remember: Familiarity should not breed neglect. Nourish love daily.

At Work, reframe your career perspective. It’s easy to look at the CEO’s office and feel envious. But behind that title could be sleepless nights, boardroom battles, and personal sacrifices you don’t see. Similarly, someone in your team may long for the stability and flexibility you already have. Here’s how to live this proverb in your professional life:

• Reflect before comparing: Write down what your job gives you — income, purpose, growth, or stability.
• Celebrate your team’s wins: Someone else’s success doesn’t mean your failure.
• Lead with gratitude: If you’re in management, recognize staff who do the unglamorous work. Shine a light on those keeping things steady.

Want to explore these themes further? These books dive deep into contentment, gratitude, and letting go of envy:

1. How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs. This beautifully written collection of short stories explores the complexities of relationships, migration, identity, and emotional longing. Many of the characters yearn for connection, belonging, or a sense of “home,” only to realize that what they’ve wanted isn’t always what brings joy  and what they took for granted may have been most valuable.
2. The Pain Tree by Olive Senior. In this collection, Olive Senior captures the internal lives of Caribbean people navigating dreams, losses, and societal expectations. The stories shine a light on characters who overlook their blessings in pursuit of what they think they lack, mirroring the proverb’s core message about misaligned desires and unappreciated fortunes.
3. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. Discover how gratitude and positivity can actually lead to more success. 
4. Gratitude Journal. 

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Be the One Who Truly Appreciates what they have. Let this saying ring in your heart the next time you scroll past someone’s highlight reel or hear yourself mutter, “If only I had that…”

Instead, take a breath. Turn your attention inward. Look at what you already hold in your hand. Maybe your peace, your purpose, your joy is already here. You just need to see it with fresh eyes.

Try wanting less, appreciating more, and becoming the person who lives fully, richly, and rooted in the now.

Is there something in your life right now you might be taking for granted? Let’s celebrate it in the comments.