Readers’ Responses to Our Question (67)

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yes and no. i have had a steady full-time job for the past 2 years. i love my co-workers and my benefits plan is great. plus, i work for a huge television network. but my salary is lower than it should be. i have also had immense trouble either moving up within the company or finding a job elsewhere that might pay more than what i earn now.
i have been in a steady relationship for the past 2 years, and we recently moved in together. my parents still have an issue with the fact that my bf isn't Jewish. but at least they've realized that criticizing me and fighting about it isn't the answer. they've certainly come a long way since i first got into this relationship, but they're still disappointed that i didn't find a "nice rich Jewish boy." oy vey.

Norrie Hoyt :

""Candide,

"I thank whatever gods that be for my unconquerable soul ..."

"That's what they were saying at Troy when the horse arrived ..."

Sounds like a good time to say that sort of thing, really. Ask Aeneas. ;)

Orly,

I feel for you!

Frank Collins:

You are an insensitive prick!

I just turned 50 last week. 50 was not an easy number to do. It really made me be introspective about my life so far and wondering what is yet to be.

The other day I was driving by one of those new housing developments that are being built all around me, or so it seems. I was wondering what it would be like to be able to live in one of those big beautiful houses. I felt a tug at my heart, telling me how sad I was to have never been able to nor probably ever have that sort of luxory of living.

As I continued to drive through the city, I came across, well, low income housing. As I looked around I thought of my tiny apartment and how it actually suits me just fine. I reminded myself I have no reason to need any more space than I have. I thought about how homey my little apartment is and I felt this large tug on my heart reminding me how grateful I am.

I have come a long way in fifty years. I have had a lot of personal losses starting at a very young age. I didn't start out making wonderful choices in life and it was a hard road to go. No one to blame but myself. When I think back to where I came from and where I am at now. I am more than satisfied. Now at 50 I have two wonderful sons and 4 wonderful grandsons. I have a decent job, a nice car and a lovely little homey apartment. Some great friends. All I need to do is find me a good man *wink* and life will be complete. LOL And for the ones that will jump on that like a junkyard dog...its just a joke! My life is complete now. A good man would just be the cherry on top of the whip cream!

orly:

ss was never designed to support anyone. actually when fdr started it you would get it at 65 but the average life expectancy was 55.
i would prefer to person contribution system in place of ss.
but as you are using it it is welfare.
now thank your neighbors - that 60 k you got and the 1200 a month is being paid by them.

I know one thing BB forgot to gloat about: he's not superstitious!

You never know. History may judge that removing Nixon was unwise and that he hastened mankind's end by 10,000 years.

Where to start?

Ok I broke my back on the job.

I had been paying for long term and short term insurance for 7 years but because I was out of work and couldn't continue to pay they dropped me without as cent.

After years of rehab I was given 60,000 dollars to last me the rest of my life. This 60,000 dollars was taken from my SS benefits.

That was 10 years ago.

So now im trying to survive off 1200 dollars a month.

I can't afford to go to the doctor or dentist.

Afer I pay the bills I have like 300 dollars left for groceries and gas for the month.

Did you know SS has no dental benefits?

I guess old people don't need teeth care.

So I sit at the house all day with 4 bad teeth in my mouth in constant pain from my back contemplating when I will have the nerve to blow my brains out.

Its good to see so many who have had it so well and that are satisfied.

Just remember there are plenty in this world who don't smile everyday.

anyone having a problem logging onto the individual posts from the contributors on this topic?

GI,

At 27 you are but a young pup. I have a daughter older than you! Maybe love and your career aren't happening because you are looking in the wrong places.

In any case, I think with age there comes a certain serenity for most people. When I look back at my life I agree that I have made mistakes, and not too few of them. However, I would not change a thing because if I did, I would be the person I have become.

Take life one step at a time, try to make good choices and all else will fall into place.

And never, never look back and say "what if...".

I'm 27 and at the Quarter Life Crisis stage. Love and success in my career continue to be untouchable to me. I am happy to see that at 65, most of you have found happiness.

At 65 I have to say that life feels really really good. I could have easily given up my practice a few years ago and started to just travel. But I wanted to continue to work and write. And both give me the purest joy.

Religon often teaches us that work should be about hard labor and that your riches are in heaven. Work I believe should be for the most part joyful.

http://www.fiftyandfurthermore.com

i just looked at the site for muslums for progressive values - run by the bug eyed
pamela k taylor.

http://www.mpvusa.org/news/?page_id=27 is the place where they talk about equality - well looks like they forgot to mention other religions.

http://www.mpvusa.org/news/?page_id=2 is the place where there mission is to bring together peope who think like them - which is islamic speak for other islamics and those who want to be. jews, christians, hindus, pagans - well you need not apply.

I am OK. I have enough and see no reason why I won't have enough in the future. My apartment is exactly where I want it to be - at a metro station. I will budget my pleasures, but I can do that and wait for the orderly arrival of what I want. Unexpected evil is always possible, but we have to deal with that as it arrives. So far, I have managed. No need to over prepare. Or hide.

Life is good.

I am OK. I have enough and see no reason why I won't have enough in the future. My apartment is exactly where I want it to be - at a metro station. I will budget my pleasures, but I can do that and wait for the orderly arrival of what I want. Unexpected evil is always possible, but we have to deal with that as it arrives. So far, I have managed. No need to over prepare. Or hide.

Life is good.

I am OK. I have enough and see no reason why I won't have enough in the future. My apartment is exactly where I want it to be - at a metro station. I will budget my pleasures, but I can do that and wait for the orderly arrival of what I want. Unexpected evil is always possible, but we have to deal with that as it arrives. So far, I have managed. No need to over prepare. Or hide.

Life is good.

Life at 65 is great. I know the meaning of what refirement is. And at 65 it keeps getting better.

http://www.fiftyandfurthermore.com

I'm always for the most part satisfied with where I am at the present...I try to make purposeful choices as I go along. Of course, life has its bumps in the road & getting through the rough patches still standing offers even more satisfaction. It's not a spiritual thing with me; it's just what you do in keeping a good healthy outlook which will sustain you in any situation; to me it makes the most sense. Besides, look at the alternatives, not a pretty picture.

I have pulled my way up from the streets of Detroit. The journey has always been hard, when you grow up handicapped it always costs more than those who are not. At the same time, the rewards are just a little sweeter, a bit more satisfying. Satisfaction, is a gift I have earned, a gift that has come to me when I feel secure. I hope everyone gets to feel it at least a few times in their journey through life.

Daniel, Thank you for posting your reflection with candor and care.

You ask: "...how do we really know when more or less money should be distributed to the populace?"

Would one allow one's own child to die of hunger or suffer malnutrition? Can we all agree to at least draw the line there for every human being on this planet?

Later, on religion, you state: "In other words, the religious vision is the vision which promises salvation to all alike only if one believes...The religious view does not depend on differences of talent, intellect, hard work. One must simply believe and then heaven awaits."

Talent or intellect are not earned; they are givens. If one believes, one should be thankful, demonstrating it by using the gifts for the benefit of the most needy. If one does not believe, one should still be grateful and equally responsible.

Belief itself is also a gift, believe it or not. Yet one may pray for it as some do, and only God knows if and when one will ever receive it. Belief is a mystery and the greatest blessing. Belief is experiencing a foretaste of the Kingdom of Heaven.

As one passage in one gospel approximately declares: the Kingdom of Heaven is like finding a pearl of incalculable value; one sells all to obtain it.

Daniel, Thank you for posting your reflection with candor and care.

You ask: "...how do we really know when more or less money should be distributed to the populace?"

Would one allow one's own child to die of hunger or suffer malnutrition? Can we all agree to at least draw the line there for every human being on this planet?

Later, on religion, you state: "In other words, the religious vision is the vision which promises salvation to all alike only if one believes...The religious view does not depend on differences of talent, intellect, hard work. One must simply believe and then heaven awaits."

Talent or intellect are not earned; they are givens. If one believes, one should be thankful, demonstrating it by using the gifts for the benefit of the most needy. If one does not believe, one should still be grateful and equally responsible.

Belief itself is also a gift, believe it or not. Yet one may pray for it as some do, and only God knows if and when one will ever receive it. Belief is a mystery and the greatest blessing. Belief is experiencing a foretaste of the Kingdom of Heaven.

As one pasage in one gospel approximately declares: the Kingdom of Heaven is like finding a pearl of incalculable value; one sells all to obtain it.

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To say that I am satisfied with where I am now will not mean that I am content to the state where I feel I have arrived. I am satisfied in that I have begun the wonderful journey which God intended me to take for his name sake. Yet I daily realize that I have so much more to do.

In a world where Christ has become an option among many in seeking the 'satisfied life,' I now devote myself to writing books that is an excellent tool to draw people to Christ. In every waking moment, it is my prayer that the simplicity of my work may become refreshingly satisfying to the hungry soul.

To say that I am satisfied with where I am now will not mean that I am content to the state where I feel I have arrived. I am satisfied in that I have begun the wonderful journey which God intended me to take for his name sake. Yet I daily realize that I have so much more to do.

In a world where Christ has become an option among many in seeking the 'satisfied life,' I now devote myself to writing books that is an excellent tool to draw people to Christ. In every waking moment, it is my prayer that the simplicity of my work may become refreshingly satisfying to the hungry soul.

To say that I am satisfied with where I am now will not mean that I am content to the state where I feel I have arrived. I am satisfied in that I have begun the wonderful journey which God intended me to take for his name sake. Yet I daily realize that I have so much more to do.

In a world where Christ has become an option among many in seeking the 'satisfied life,' I now devote myself to writing books that is an excellent tool to draw people to Christ. In every waking moment, it is my prayer that the simplicity of my work may become refreshingly satisfying to the hungry soul.

To quote Lincoln -- People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

I believe personal satisfaction is primarily dependent on a just social environment.
Am I satisfied with an increasingly oppressive social environment where personal worth is measured by degree of materialistic gain? Where social reward flows not with 'the heart', but obedience to routines and corporate rules.

The reality we are creating does not respect personal worth; does not show concern for the welfare of each person; is not conducuve toward a state of personal satisfaction; but temporary pleasure instead.

Like the old joke about a man who jumped off a 20 story building, when someone on the 10th floor asked him how he was, the man replied, "So far, so good." I thank God for each day and use what God has given me. That is enough.

Like the old joke about a man who jumped off a 20 story building, when someone on the 10th floor asked him how he was, the man replied, "So far, so good." I thank God for each day and use what God has given me. That is enough.

I'm always amused when pointless questions like this one stay on the On Faith board for 5 days at a time, while more-probing questions that generate high blogger participation get yanked after a day or 3.

Why is that?

Candide,

"I thank whatever gods that be for my unconquerable ..."

That's what they were saying at Troy when the horse arrived ...

Candide,

"I thank whatever gods that be for my unconquerable ..."

That's what they were saying at Troy when the horse arrived ...

Candide,

"I thank whatever gods that be for my unconquerable ..."

That's what they were saying at Troy when the horse arrived ...

Candide,

"I thank whatever gods that be for my unconquerable ..."

That's what they were saying at Troy when the horse arrived ...

Say Hallelujah, c'mon get happy!

There really ain't no judgment day.

Satisfied? Who could be satisfied in this day and age, with what we see going on around us?

You'd have to be stupefyingly self-centered, as well as blind and deaf (not to mention dumb!).

Or maybe, a Libertarian.

Say Hallelujah, c'mon get happy!

There really ain't no judgment day.

Satisfied? Who could be satisfied in this day and age, with what we see going on around us?

You'd have to be stupefyingly self-centered, as well as blind and deaf (not to mention dumb!).

Or maybe, a Libertarian.

Say Hallelujah, c'mon get happy!

There really ain't no judgment day.

Satisfied? Who could be satisfied in this day and age, with what we see going on around us?

You'd have to be stupefyingly self-centered, as well as blind and deaf (not to mention dumb!).

Or maybe, a Libertarian.

I loved and served the Episcopal Church with all my heart.

Then the liturgy was modernized.

Then the hymnal was modernized.

Then blacks, women and gays were idolized as clergy.

Then what had been the church since the 16th and 17th centuries became a political action group having naught to do with worship.

I am cast out of the roomiest church in Christendom.

The question to ask is what one's expectation?

What is the purpose of satisfaction?

Is it for self-gratification? Or will it benefit others too.

Only us knows who we really are, perhaps our real true friend, or more likely our wife can be our mirror.

What is this satisfaction bring in to our ultimate quest for our final destiny.

If we believe that there is a true God then we are accountable for whatever we do.

If we do as we please then we don't believe in any Deity except ourself.

If we do not know the answer, He will come to you and will provide a way of knowing him. (He is capable and willing)

If we are progressively changing for the better of achieving our eternal destiny like heaven then we are in the right track.

Keep on changing and keep on moving forward!

May say is "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall follow you." Luke 13:21

I think for this, we really have to question what constitutes *satisfaction,* as do many. Humans are most alive ...most ourselves, as *dynamic creatures,* in the first place, and it's possible that promises of 'satisfaction' do us no service at all.

Rather, I see a lot of people who voice being involved in the struggles of life, and possibly *content* with the places they've found in these struggles. Or non-struggles.

A favorite Pagan priest of mine speaks often on 'Divine Discontent:' this is what encourages us to be alive and engaged with the world. To embrace and lend our vigor to the eternal process of change and regeneration... not, perhaps, to seek escape from it in whatever form.

How can we not be *satisfied* if we're yet living? What do we think 'satisfaction' *really is?*

The Wheel turns.

Satisfied with where I am?

Words from a fave hymn of mine:

"I get knocked down
But I get up again
And they're never going to keep me down."

:)

The expansive parts of our experience are always more fun than those in which things are cut away. That's how it is. There's a lot of things I'm not satisfied about that have knocked me down a number of times. But where I embrace the journey is where I live in what I'm being right now.

Dissatisfied a creature as that may be. ;)

I am satisfied because I spent thousands on lottery ticket. When I am lonely and alone, depressed I just drink beer and get drunk. when people ask me when I am happy, I pretend and lie after all who would know, I can fool them..If I keep on saying I am satisfied and happy I think soon I will be happy! Right? I can pretend.

And when I am lonely, I will just buy more lottery tickets. Thanks to James' inspiration and great wisdom.

You must all be Protestants!

Stop whining. Become a Catholic. Buy the lottery.

Are You Satisfied?
Are you satisfied with where you are now in your life?

No, I am not satisfied with where I am right now.
I have a lot of adjustment and modifications to make. I know my weaknesses and where I fail. I still make a lot of mistakes and trying not to do it again. It is just my nature is too stubborn and my control system and my will disappoints me. I pray that God will give me more wisdom and strength to overcome my weaknesses and imperfection. I know God is with me and I can see the mercy and grace He provides. But I just wish for once I can say I am satisfied. If then I can say I am not satisfy, but then I hope my God can be satisfy because that is the bottom line of life...

How silly. Government has failed, immigrant policies have failed (how many illegals do you have inyour neighborhood - less than $500,000 property value - I live in a trailer - no tenured pension or family endowment - I know another ignorant peasant), a government job (blessed to have, but ineffectual because of partisan politics - either side). Educated at my expense as an adult - family ignorant and poor. Only an elitist inheritant, or someones daughter/kept wife would have such a question - how saitisfied indeed.

Satisified, merchandising and my education told me I should rule the universe, conquer all. Twenty something years later I am told to not shave and always have wet eyes. Please, try to not ask questions that only have politically acceptable answers. The beauty of foolish people, as myself, is that they hold onto hope in spite of evidence (oh yes, drugs) . Enjoy your decadent, self engrandized life on someone elses back.

Oh my, bitterness, let us purge such a disruptive organism form the buying public lest it pollute the gene pool and stop buying water for $2.00 each.

Gary

I only want what I need, and I am granted everything I need Spiritually and monitarily. It was a long journey. But after studying all the religions around the world, meditating for about 30 years and obtaining A very tecnical and fairly phylosophical education, I found peace. (PS: meditated on Peace and Wisdom)

I have a steady job that satisfies my desire for tecnical grouth. I have found the love of my life. I write and sing my own songs. And I think and pray to God constantly. my prayers are not the formal ones taught by religions but rather honest open communication.

We have written the dictates of self in words that say, would you like to eat the forbidden fruits and force your unborn sons to eat them as well, what happiness will be there when your body does go to the source? All trees face winds, but only those with strong hearts stay upright and the price is always pains. The upright trees are loving-trees for they guide and protect, although many have been broken and as good souls they remain. So do not kill the love you are part of, uproot the thorns from your heart and let the beautiful roses grow instead. In these lasting gardens your soul shall forever dwell.

We have written the dictates of self in words that says, would you like to eat the forbidden fruits and force your unborn sons to eat them as well, what happiness will be there when your body does go to the source? All trees face winds, but only those with strong hearts stay upright and the price is always pains. The upright trees are loving-trees for they guide and protect, although many have been broken and as good souls they remain. So do not kill the love you are part of, uproot the thorns from your heart and let the beautiful roses grow instead. In these lasting gardens your soul shall forever dwell.

If the following prayer were answered, would the world be a better place? "Please dear God and Mohammed, protect me from your followers".

Suggestion: watch the BBC tv series "A Brief History of Disbelief" on veoh.com.

Am I satisfied where I am in life now?

Yes and No. Spiritually Speaking no. I still have room for alot of growth. I still have character defects that I have to work on everyday. I can still judge other people to harshly if I am not careful. I can still be too selfish, and self centered. I still have to make sure that I put God first, and not money. Hard to do some days in this materialistic society at times. I am learning to live with-in my needs not my wants.
That happiness is truly an inside job. That things that were so important to me years ago are now meaningless.

I still have much to learn about the various religions out there. And a host of other topics that interest me as well. There is so much to do, and so little time to do it. So much to learn, and see. So yes, life is what I make it today. I know today that I don't have to rely on people, places or money for happiness. I am responsible for my own happiness, or lack of it.

Proverbs 30:8-10 (King James Version)

8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

10Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

John 12:25
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Professor Crossan and the other Jesus Seminarians and their books have made my life quite satisfactory since now I have a much better idea of who Jesus actually was. The embellishments have been deleted leaving only the reality of it all.

I'm amazed how many people turned outward in their answers to this (to me obviously) inward question. Granted, many of us have complaints about the external state of affairs, but are we satisfied with our own approach to those problems? Have we done all we can to right the wrongs that disturb us? I know I haven't, but I'm not going to blame my inaction on other people's actions.
The other part of the question is how satisfied we are with our own lives. That is a pretty essential faith question.

Before I responded to this questioned I pondered the answers of so many who have responded before me and sadly the resounding answer to the question overall was NO - NOT SATISFIED. I, like most, have led an eventful and interesting life. I grew up poor, had an earthly father abandon my mom, me and my siblings, had a baby out of wedlock, self medicated with drugs/alcohol (over 20 years ago now), I had health issues, emotional issues relative to hurt, fear and dysfuntion at many levels and learned my mother was an incest survivor a few years ago. So I share ALL that to say this...when I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior my life changed for the good forever and for the better period. I still have challenges becauses that's life but I have great strength, peace and hope because of Christ. I know I will be "labeled" a Jesus Freak, out of touch, etc., etc., I've heard it all but here is the truth. People, in general, do not want to hear the truth, seek the truth and accept the truth because when you face the TRUTH in things you have to make decisions to change or rebel. I can say that because as the saying goes...if you spot it you got it! I rebelled for many years and then finally decided to change, accept and grow because of someone bigger than me, God. I am a very happily married wife of 20 years, a mom of 2 adult sons, a successful business women with 4 companies and the Founder of a faith-based non-profit serving the unemployed community. I even had the privilege of operating grants for the Department of Labor under President Bush's Faith & Community Based Initiative. I have every blessing; spiritually, relationally, financially, physically, emotionally. And I am very satisfied and blessed but it is NOT because of me it is solely because of Jesus Christ who saved me from myself. Faith matters (it really matters) and if you seek the truth you WILL find it. Check out the book that changed my mind...A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. I came to realize there is only one God and His son is the resurrected Messiah, Jesus Christ. Believe it, be critical of it, dismiss or ignore it, that's free will and your choice. However, if you haven't investigated the truth of Jesus you are missing the greatest relationship you'll ever know in this life or the next. I love my life and I am satisfied...BLESSED to be a blessing!

No I am not. I believe that I should be more selfish without guilt or shame. I want higher profits from the backs of my laborers.
I want to dehumanize others who believe differently from me. Even though we fulfilled God's wishes (King James) to fill the Earth (to build armies), I want more people to suffer from the inequity wealth.
I think I should care less about the common good and more about our national interests of Big Oil and Big Banks.
Oil companies should buy back their stocks and not invest in capital programs. It is better to get rewarded for stock options, than increase supplies from new facilities.
Big Banks were correct in influencing the bankruptcy laws for individuals and not corporations. Individuals should not be allowed to get rid of all of their debt even though they may have been duped or suffered from tragic accidents.

Am I satisfied?

Not when hear Newt Gingrich deride Liberals about their tax and spend strategy. Shame on those against progressive taxation that distributes the wealth back to the laborers. Jesus' message was about love and sharing; not hate and greed.

I won't be satisfied until I hopefully get to Heaven and find those false Christians not there.

Are you satisfied with where you are now in your life?

No, I am not. My life has always been a failure and even though I have striven to learn, to apply my intellect, my life has amounted to exactly nothing. I think it sheer nonsense that to work hard, to have talent, to be honest, to use one's brain adds up to something in life as we are so often taught in school. The successful people in life more often than not are those somewhere in the middle of the ability spectrum. The completely incapable and the highly gifted both are shortchanged in life. And perhaps the collective disaster--what affects all of us--is that society cannot satisfy all.

In fact to move toward satisfying the gifted shortchanges all the lesser people--and to try to keep only something of the middle satisfied or to concentrate on the completely incapable (the typical poor) is to just keep going around in circles and never get off the ground so to speak. No wonder people become religious...Satisfaction is possible only by a vision which resolves this dilemma, which essentially keeps us from having to see we must develop in the direction of the gifted (the direction which is probably genetic more than anything else and is based on a biological understanding of the world).

In other words, the religious vision is the vision which promises salvation to all alike only if one believes...The religious view does not depend on differences of talent, intellect, hard work. One must simply believe and then heaven awaits. Essentially religion as the view to salve us for our inability to develop without shortchanging anyone--and in fact if the theory of evolution is correctly understood we are all shortchanged even if we manage to take human destiny in our own hands for the simple reason that we strive to always replace ourselves with better human beings.

So no I am not satisfied--nor do I even believe in such a concept. I believe we just slow down or worse: believe in a heaven which accepts all types of people and discounts human notions of development (human direction in general). Take the economic dilemma now occurring in the United States as an example of what I mean. We are often told that the nation is becoming dangerously unequal as to wealth, that too much wealth is becoming concentrated at the top of society and that the middle class is in fact shrinking and we are arriving at a rich/poor dichotomy in society.

People just assume more wealth should be in the hands of the poor and that if the wealth is not flowing in that direction then the upper classes must be evil or there must be corruption or something. But the truth is how do we know really when the middle class let alone the poor are responsible enough, capable enough, to keep the economy aloft with the wealth concentrated in their hands? How do you know when a society should not be drastically heirarchical and must become more horizontal (toward the left economically) and vice-versa?

To simplify, there seems four choices: 1) a society has stark divisions and these divisions are "evil" because in fact the populace is quite capable and power should be more uniformly distributed--the foundation of society would in fact drive society to unsuspected economic heights. 2) a society has stark divisions and these divisions are not "evil" because the foundation of society is quite inept and it would be a disaster to move society toward the left. 3) a society has stark divisions and these divisions are "evil" but both the base and the heights of the society are corrupt so no easy direction, no easy correction of the problem can be discerned. And the fourth--which really makes no sense--which is that there is division in society but both the base and heights are quite capable (this latter makes no sense because a correction of division will automatically and rapidly occur. Consider this something of the ideal).

Now where even the best nations are economically is at best with a capable top of society wondering if wealth should be distributed more freely--and the bottom of society always pushing, claiming the top is being too greedy. So the question is in essence how do we really know when more or less money should be distributed to the populace--how to know when society should become more or less vertical or horizontal?

I go on this extended meditation because it seems the U.S. economy is becoming less capable as to its base and there is more and more division in society, but we told of course that the successful are only becoming more greedy. More greedy or is this greed only a symptom of a failure of society economically and it is every man for himself more and more each day?

Thus increasing unsatisfaction. Thus satisfaction can be increased only by becoming more and more capable. But to become more and more capable one must dispense with religious focus and concentrate on what drives an economy and developing talents to interact with one's fellow man with greater and greater sophistication. Religion (the right wing in general) and left wing economics (to the point of Marxism especially) refuse to focus on the essential problem and strive to give a satisfaction before its time (and in the case of religion promise outright salvation after death).

So no I am not satisfied. Personal satisfaction aside (which I have never had) I see constant problems all around me.--And these larger problems make my personal unsatisfactions as to nothing for the simple reason that supposing I could have fame and Scarlett Johanssan, Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Charlize Theron (and a few others) as my wives, still I would be in a world of feeling disaster is just around the corner and that the world is filled with multiple contradictions...

So no I am not satisfied and I call for a healthy disatisfaction of Man.

No I am not. I believe that I should be more selfish without guilt or shame. I want higher profits from the backs of my laborers.
I want to dehumanize others who believe differently from me. Even though we fulfilled God's wishes (King James) to fill the Earth (to build armies), I want more people to suffer from the inequity wealth.
I think I should care less about the common good and more about our national interests of Big Oil and Big Banks.
Oil companies should buy back their stocks and not invest in capital programs. It is better to get rewarded for stock options, than increase supplies from new facilities.
Big Banks were correct in influencing the bankruptcy laws for individuals and not corporations. Individuals should not be allowed to get rid of all of their debt even though they may have been duped or suffered from tragic accidents.
If you are unable to earn living wage or be born with a silver spoon, then when you can't pay your bills, you are not a 'responsible' citizen and should pay the consequences; even jail. God rewards the faithful and punishes the sinners. So to be satisfied, we should obtain all the wealth at the detriment of others.

Am I satisfied?

Not when hear Newt Gingrich deride Liberals about their tax and spend strategy. Shame on those against progressive taxation that distributes the wealth back to the laborers. Jesus' message was about love and sharing; not hate and greed.

I won't be satisfied until I hopefully get to Heaven and find those false Christians not there.

"Robert B. :
How exactly is this an appropriate question for this site? Is no one actually submitting decent questions anymore?"

Heck, Robert, it's much more appropriate than the Jerry Falwell question. I have never seen so much hatred spouted by anyone.

True contentment (satisfication) can only come if you are in peace with yourself. I doubt that many humans have ever or will ever achieve that.

I am content with my spiritual side. I believe I have finally found the answer I have been seeking my whole life.

I am also satisfied with my material things, my husband, daughters, animals, etc. However, I am always looking to improve not only myself but also the quality of life for others. So, in that sense, I guess there will always be some dissatisfaction with the contentedness.

No, I am fearful for our country. I perceive a slow creeping drift to an oligarchic fascism that will be achieved via a fait accompli justified by a bogus "national security". I am 71 years old and I fear for my children and grandchildren. They will inherit a national debt that will be impossible to retire and for what? The US is less secure now than it was ten years ago. I see no diminution in the folly that has led us to this pass no matter which political party is in power.

While my life is imperfect as is everyone else's, I'd have to say that I am mostly content with things as compared to so many, I am incredibly fortunate (safe, decent housing, reliable job, partner who adores me, friends, enough food, pets who are wonderful companions and a litany of other good things too numerous to count). That said, I will never be truly satisfied as there is always room for improvement, growth and change within myself.

I don't understand. Are there still folks out there who believe in god or gods who really care about what they eat on friday, and whatever else? You must be nuts?

Yeah, Everything is fine but could be better. This is about spirituality so perhaps the question is asking if my delusions are allowing me more intimacy with God? I guess the answer to that is no. In fact I am generally too concerned with reality to consider fantasies that empower me with supernatural superiority. But I guess if I were socially useless I could find solace in promoting morality and religion.

No, i am not satisfied....

There is a restlessness in me that goes beyond the desire of having a good life (family, friends, success, fame, money etc.).

This restlessness, this feverishness is my path to getting to know me, my god, who I know is within my soul and my spirit. But I can't see it clearly and that is why....

I am not satisfied.

I don't see this as a yes-or-no question so much as a yes-and-no question.

Do I have adequate food, clothing, and shelter? Yes. More than adequate.

Do I have a loving, affirmative social structure? You betcha. I am blessed to be able to fall asleep in the arms of my best friend every night, and wake up there every morning. I have a teenage dauhgter who is growing into a young woman that I would want as my friend even if I weren't her mother. I have six cats that provide me with warm feet, sandpaper kisses, and entertainment that surpasses anyhting on tv, as well as the occasional partially eaten bird, lizard, or squirrel. I have parents and a sister who live close by, co-workers that I like to socialize with away from the office, friends in the multiple religious communities to which I belong, and am part of a vibrant arts community.

Would I like to have more money to be able to buy things I want, but can't afford, to travel, etc? Sure. But I am not lacking anything that I really need.

As for my spiritual life, the situation is similar. Am I a good person? Yes. Do I screw up? Yes. Do I think I can do better? Yes.
Each day, I resolve to do the best I can TODAY to do that which is right and good. Some days, I succeed better than others. But at the end of each day, I am both satisfied that I did the best I could, and resolve to do better tomorrow. I am satisifed that I am daily doing the best I can do, but never satisfied that I have become the best that I can be.

How exactly is this an appropriate question for this site? Is no one actually submitting decent questions anymore?

I think I have learned much on this journey and still need to learn more, I am finding it more important to be satisfied in my faith walk. This test of life we don't get to take but once. There are no makeup tests. I am truly blessed and try to remember not to sweat about the small stuff.

I thank whatever gods that be for my unconquerable soul