Being Satisfied is More than Being Satisfactory

If something is satisfactory, it is okay and acceptable in a mediocre sort of way, on the other hand, if something is satisfying, we feel comfortable and good about it.  For example, if we are satisfied with a project, or life in general, our expectations have been fulfilled.  We may not be totally high and excited, but then we are not down and depressed either.  If we are satisfied about our lives in general, we are filled with a sense of peace and contentment and are grateful to have what we have.  Following are two situations regarding specific forms of satisfaction.  The actress Ursula Andress said, "Collecting is my joy; it gives me great satisfaction." We can substitute "collecting" with anything that makes us happy.  And when a painter steps back and admires his painting, he is satisfied or he isn't.  When he is satisfied, he feels nothing needs to be added to the painting, that it is complete as it is.  A more general feeling of satisfaction regarding our life as a whole, is noted in this quote:  "Happiness includes chiefly the idea of satisfaction after a full honest effort. No one can  possibly be satisfied and no one can be happy who feels that in some paramount affairs he failed to take up the challenge of life."  Arnold Bennett, English novelist.  Satisfaction is a form of happiness with what is.  So many times we say to our selves, "I'll be happy when..," or, "I would be happy if..."  Nobody feels satisfied all of the time, but we are capable of feeling good most of the time if we look at life with the right attitude.  If we start thinking more about what we have than what we don't have and what we want, life will start appearing better than before. For perhaps the first time  in our lives we will know what it means to be satisfied, to not need or want more.   Although it is foreseeable to reach an inner and deep satisfaction where we are in life, sometimes we are restless and feel compelled to strive to achieve more.  At this point, being satisfied becomes a springboard to reach above and beyond.