I think satisfaction is a contentedness with how things are. Not necessarily a fulfillment of your wishes or desires, but an acceptance of things when they fall short of those desires. A feeling that everything is still ok. It’s entirely possible to achieve all of your goals and still not be satisfied.
Randy, it’s also possible to achieve none of your intentions and be completely satisfied. That’s how I aspire to live life.
I am satisfied all of the time. I am also dissatisfied or disappointed some or much of the time. The satisfaction is like a warm fire burning deep inside me as I manifest my unique self out into the world. The dissatisfaction comes at times when i could have done something better or different in hindsight, or a result wasn’t as I hoped for.
That dissatisfaction is separate from the satisfaction of living who I am out into the world as best I can in the present.
David Steiner-Rast has a wonderful quote that goes something like: Joy is happiness not connected to an outcome. It’s like playing with our kids. Or for you being in nature, and having the AWE creep up on you.
When I feel that warm fire in me that I referenced above, it is also Joy. Like dissatisfaction, I experience unhappiness, disappointment, frustration (like not publishing for six weeks!) but the joy and satisfaction fire burns with my careful tending of it.
The fire is ego-less. It seems to me that all the labels we put on things are constructs of the ego.
Phew, sorry for the long winded reply. Maybe this means I just published, and I can let go of my frustration!!
Haley I’m grateful for you stimulating the conversation and Randy for your insights.
I think satisfaction is a contentedness with how things are. Not necessarily a fulfillment of your wishes or desires, but an acceptance of things when they fall short of those desires. A feeling that everything is still ok. It’s entirely possible to achieve all of your goals and still not be satisfied.
Randy, it’s also possible to achieve none of your intentions and be completely satisfied. That’s how I aspire to live life.
I am satisfied all of the time. I am also dissatisfied or disappointed some or much of the time. The satisfaction is like a warm fire burning deep inside me as I manifest my unique self out into the world. The dissatisfaction comes at times when i could have done something better or different in hindsight, or a result wasn’t as I hoped for.
That dissatisfaction is separate from the satisfaction of living who I am out into the world as best I can in the present.
David Steiner-Rast has a wonderful quote that goes something like: Joy is happiness not connected to an outcome. It’s like playing with our kids. Or for you being in nature, and having the AWE creep up on you.
When I feel that warm fire in me that I referenced above, it is also Joy. Like dissatisfaction, I experience unhappiness, disappointment, frustration (like not publishing for six weeks!) but the joy and satisfaction fire burns with my careful tending of it.
The fire is ego-less. It seems to me that all the labels we put on things are constructs of the ego.
Phew, sorry for the long winded reply. Maybe this means I just published, and I can let go of my frustration!!
Haley I’m grateful for you stimulating the conversation and Randy for your insights.
Much love to you both.
This is really good, James. I like this take on satisfaction. And it’s not too late to turn it into a post of your own 😁
...satisfaction is a cold glass of something in the shade of nothing...
I think you defined it right here: "Satisfaction is a deeply personal alignment of one’s heart, purpose, and intent."
I really like this definition. More than satisfied with it.
Loved that you explored this topic. It's been on my mind and this piece enlightens my thinking.
Dang! You have the best opening intros - I feel so dissatisfied with my writing right now 🤣