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Can one be completely satisfied in this life?

First off, I must state that I am a believer in Christ and my life has been made rich because of that. Everything I have, a wife, son, job, friends, is because of Him. Yet there is still a sense of longing for something more. My soul is never completely satisfied. I become restless often and desire more than the rut I find myself in. I was reviewing a prayer recently and part of it makes this statement:

"...surrendering to your (God) will. That I may be *reasonably happy in this life*; and supremely happy with you in the next."

In light of this I got to thinking that we will always be longing for something more in this life. We can never really be completely satisfied indefinitely (we can be for a short time, but it passes). Does this ring true for you or am I off?

*Atheists, feel free to post, but I will not consider any God bashing or witty trash talk. It's a serious question, I would prefer that you take it seriously.

7 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The operative word, here, is "in".

    Yes, you can be completely satisfied "in" this life, but not necessarily for the duration of it.

    Cherish the small moments. When your son smiled at you, that first time. The way the sunlight plays in your wife's hair and highlights it, the satisfaction of a job well done.

    Fleeting moments, this is what we get.

    Cherish them, for they are the bright memories that light your path out of the flat spots of life.

    It's not all sunshine and lollipops, I know, but if you had perfect all the time then you'd already be in Heaven.

    Sorry I can't say anything cheerful, but life isn't wall to wall cheerful.

    Life is hard, but it does get better. Have faith.

    :)

  • 1 decade ago

    well.. a desire for something more and an *empty feeling* inside are 2 different things, to me at least. Do you feel like something is missing ?

    If so.. you just have to figure out what that is. If it is a constant, nagging reminder more often then not.. that makes you fall in and out of depression.. then its either something you have discover within yourself or.. It could be a chemical imbalance if it feels unnatural to you.

    You intelligently recognize that you have everything that should make you happy... but that doesn't necessarily mean that you are happy. Many people go through this, so dont think you are alone.

    you can start making small changes in your life and see how they work for you.. if you know in the general direction you should go in. If that doesn't help.. think bigger.

    1 activity that would cheer anyone up, is volunteer work. You can dedicate some of your time on special holidays such as Christmas.. and it can also be a educational experience for your children. Even if you do not have the time, doing something as small as picking up litter at a park can make you feel like *you did something for the world and yourself*

    Do you feel bored ? Maybe your mind needs to be stimulated. Have you ever wanted to learn to play an instrument and read music ? or maybe learn a new language ? There are 1000s of hobbies that are stimulating to the mind, that you dont need several hours a day.

    Maybe you could travel ? Is there a country you've always wanted to visit ? You can make it a goal for you to save as much as possible for 1 year while you research your journey.

    both volunteer work and traveling seem to satisfy me spiritually

    the 3rd thing that REALLY changed me, my outlook on things,

    and for my greater gratitude towards life, is I experienced what being REALLY poor is like. I lived in Mexico for 4 months.. a pretty poor area and it changed me significantly. I feel much more love towards nearly anything and everything in my environment and others. I'm not saying to travel to a extremely poverty area.. but something as volunteer work can open your eyes to those who are less fortunate then yourself. better yet, It only costs 10-20$ a month to sponsor a child in less fortunate countries. and no matter what you thing.. you are more fortunate then MOST of the world

    not sure if we are on the same page.. but.. good luck

    Source(s): atheist / pantheist
  • 1 decade ago

    I believe 'satisfaction' is a goal and not a state. While we can find satisfaction in something, having it last forever defeats its purpose. It is something which drives us to succeed and if you reached a state of complete fulfillment in life there would be no point in living anymore, you would become unfulfilled by just being so fulfilled.

    Its human to always want more. As long as you seek satisfaction in life, and set expectations, you will forever be unsatisfied.

    However, if you totally stop caring and want nothing out of life, that is exactly what you will get. If there is one thing you can do right every time, its fail.

    Source(s): (And No I'm not trying to be sophomoric, merely stating my opinion.)
  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    at present i am more happy if i dont work or have to pay mortage or rent.

    i am content with the little things i have.

    but i would always want something more meaningful in the ways of the spirit.

    i am also content with a job well done and a good nights sleep or a dream from an angel. even when they come when i dont actually ask for them.

    it is even greater to ahve the gift of the holy ghost but my life would be more happy without sorceries and conspiracies and other evils that tribulate my lfie continually.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    "Yet there is still a sense of longing for something more."

    Those who attribute everything in their life to someone else will always be left desiring something of their own.

    We will ALWAYS have desire for MORE in our lives. It's part of what keeps us going, we desire more material goods, more love, more care, because of that we strive to get more. It's how things get accomplished. The trick is finding a way to be happy overall.

  • 1 decade ago

    How are you in a 'rut' if you have 'a wife, son, job, friends'? Sounds like you're doing OK to me.

    You're becoming restless because you don't seem to have a hobby or personal ambition.

  • 1 decade ago

    I don't think anyone can be satisfied in this life. but we can be content.

    Source(s): Christian
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