Can you define satisfaction in life?

[Patty A]

I have been thinking and thinking about this, and I find it hard to put in to words what it means to be to find satisfaction in life. Not that its hard to answer.....but I find it hard to find words that truly define the answer for me.

I would have to start with contentment and satisfaction seem to intertwine to me. How can you have one without the other?

Love, laughter, smiles, warmth, not anything that can be bought or sold, but those things that are priceless as the ones that bring satisfaction to me......

Quiet times in prayer.

Watching the dogs tail wag as she greets you at the door happy that you are home.

A cup of fresh coffee on a cold winter morning.

Watching the animals breathe on a cold winter day.

Frost covered trees paint a picture that no matter how many times you see it, it takes your breathe away.

Childrens laughter.

Beautiful sunrises or sunsets.

The beauty of the deserts and mountains.

Watching a leaf swirl down a mountain stream.

Watching baby animals take their first shakey steps.

Watching your children succeed at their goals.

Happy faces on Christmas morning.

Dunking your feet in the ditch while the kids play with little wooden sticks as boats.

Fishing for crawdads, nothing beats the look of a kids face as they pull up a piece of chicken on a string to see a crawdad hanging on the end!

What kinds of things do you define satisfaction in life as?

[thesightofoneself]

to me? its just not being miserable.
miserable being wanting to end my life.

[forHISglory]

Patty A: you are very poetic!

My idea of satisfaction has changed over the years. In my more materialistic life, satisfaction meant having __________ (fill in the blank). Then I didn't understand why I started having a craving again for something else. The satisfaction was for a moment, and was fleeting.

Most regular FV members know that I am Christian. So it will not surprise you to hear me say that I only became satisfied once I found my purpose in God. He truly changed my outlook on life and nothing has been the same since.

[elphie]

Good question Patty!

I have pretty much the same perspective on this as forHISglory. My satisfaction comes from knowing that I was purposefully and wonderfully made. I find it very easy to be satisfied by simple things when I know it is all temporary.

For example, a few years ago, when I was still teaching public school, we went on a field trip to a state park that included an 19th century cemetary. We were given literature to guide the students through the park and the literature pointed out that about 75% of the graves belonged to children, most of whom would have lived if they'd had access to a toothbrush. The mouth is very sensitive and diseased gums were a way for infection to work itself into the body. After learning this I am abundantly grateful every time I watch my children brush their teeth and give thanks to God.

Now, I still get a real sense of satisfaction completing a project, meeting a goal, proving a point, etc. But all of those are fleeting, my true satisfaction comes from the simple things, like my toothbrush.

[ladykemma2]

i am sitting here watching a re-run of "City Slickers" and the scene is on which always prompts me to think of "what was the best day of your life?".

the best day of my life was walking around the village of lewes. it was spring, the flowers were blooming all over the place. i was walking around english gardens and running all over anne of cleves house and a small motte castle with a huge important history. I told my then husband if God took me right then, it didn't get any better than this.

i was speaking to a person who is constantly unhappy with her life and she doesn't get it that "happy" is a once in a while feeling. I strive for contentment, small moments of little joy. a day without problems or irritation is a good day.

after several huge life crises, i appreciate what is now.

[MoonMommy]

Satisfaction for me is sitting down at the end of the day and being confident that I was the best person I could be that day. Meaning, I was the nicest I could, I helped where I was needed, and I was a benefit to my family and to society. On top of that, satisfaction is contentment with where I am RIGHT now. Happiness with my current life.

Most days, I can say that I am 100% satisfied. Somedays, I may not get to that goal of being the best person I could have been that day, but I just try harder the next day.

[Patty A]

Thanks so much for your input on this. I see that most people find contentment and satisfaction in not some kind of material "something" but in the moments of time that is breatheless to us. It really isn't one thing but many, and to each of us it is something different. I don't think there is any one answer......I think its just like with people, it is as different as we are.

[Thevail]

Satisfaction is, having made the happiness of yourself and those around you your number one goal..and having succeeded in achieving it without harm to anyone else!

[fixer]

Satisfaction to me is being content with what I have. I always like a song lyric that with something like this: It's not having all you want, it's wanting all you have.

[mamamia]

Like InHisGlory, I used to think satisfaction came from what I owned. When I lived in our Brooklyn apt., I said I'll be happy when we own a house. Bought a house, not happy. Said I'll be happy when we get a car. Got car, still not happy. It went on and on! Nothing filled that void.

Finally realized then the void in my life was filled by having the oppurtunity to get to know Jehovah God and His Son Christ. Truly, my life was put into total perspective and happiness after that.

Yeah, there's no greater gift than family, and yes, I do appreciate having nice things and yes, I'll always love to shop, but I'm satisfied and fulfilled now!

Theresa

[Darlene]

Satisfaction to me is being content with what I have. I always like a song lyric that with something like this: It's not having all you want, it's wanting all you have.

Exactly what I was going to say. :perfect:

Yep Sheryl Crow "It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got"

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOLcdm6wg7s[/media]

[mombottoo]

"What kinds of things do you define satisfaction in life as?"

For me satisfaction in life is knowing that no matter what happens I have people who love me and I have people to love. Material things don't really matter to me, I could live in the woods, in a box and still be satisfied so long as I had those I love around me.

[joyofsix]

Knowing I tried (and occasionally succeeded) to be the very best mom, wife, friend and human I could be.

Trying to make other's lives a little bit better.

Knowing I am loved.

When I feel so moved, writing, crafting, creating, gardening and other outlets that let my uniqueness show.

[cab54]

Simplicity is satisfying.

So is seeing how my sons grew up to be good men.

[daughter of pearl]

Never having to have another conversation with the tax man!!!