Spo-reflections on satisfaction.

Yesterday’s day off from work was quite productive; I got a lot accomplished. I went to the grocery store, Costco, the car wash, and the hardware store. I got to the gym and I did some in-store shopping. Best of all, I got up some of the Christmas trimmings and I put luminarias outside onto the sidewalk. It was hard work, and I often felt rawther exhausted, but by day’s end I had a quiet sense of accomplishment. It was quite satisfying.

Satisfaction is one of the key elements of Happiness. Proper satisfaction (no rubbish types) comes through effort and struggle; there is no real satisfaction without discomfort or pain. The classic example is somebody studying for an exam. He could cheat and easily get an A this way but there would be no satisfaction for it. Or he could study hard and spend lots of time doing so, giving up other past times, and get that A and he would feel a satisfaction.

We are wired to seek out quickly obtained payoffs. We are the only species (so far as I know) that will struggle and spend time learning how to play an instrument or training for a marathon or spending years to obtain a degree. Mr. Jaggar (who is well over four feet) sings “I can’t get no satisfaction’ but this is not accurate. From a neurological point of view it ought to be “I can’t keep no satisfaction”.* Our trouble is we chase after matters that give short-term satisfaction but not provide long-term Satisfaction. I am wholly satisfied in my career and with my hobbies, but that doesn’t mean life is knee-deep in buttercups and daisies. Quite the contrary. There are continual challenges and upsets. If I were to get through my workday today without any challenges that would be OK but it would feel dull. Give me a few cases where I have to think and actually do something and by day’s end I will be tired and ready to go home but there will be Satisfaction of having done a good job.

With quicker and easier payoffs these days to write papers or make a meal etc. I worry people will have less Satisfaction in their lives, despite their ease at accomplishments.

This weekend I plan to make gingerbread cookies. It will be a three day effort. Come Christmas Eve when I leave a few out for Santa (or someone like him) I will have the satisfaction of that.

*Prescriptive types argue this should be “I can’t get any satisfaction” but that’s another story.