Happiness and Satisfaction are two eternal concepts that have inspired poetry, art, songs, movies and many life pursuits. Let’s say you had to choose one over the other . . . which one would it be? Don’t be hasty! Happiness and Satisfaction both seem like really good things. Some might even view them as one in the same. But what if one of them isn’t exactly what we think it is? Here’s my take.
[Photo Credit]
I think that Happiness is a pretty well discussed topic and frankly an individually definable thing; so there’s probably not much benefit in writing at length about it. I do think that most (if not all) could agree that it’s an unmistakable feeling and we want more of in our lives.
Satisfaction on the other hand is a whole different matter.
What kind of images come to mind when you imagine feeling satisfied? Maybe it’s that moment right after the last bite of the perfect chocolate chip cookie or it might be that sigh of accomplishment you let out after a job well done. Or it could be . . . well I won’t go there ;)
What if there’s another side to satisfaction?
Think about the images that went through your mind earlier. Did any of them resemble complacency or remind you of a time when fear stopped you from moving in a new direction? It might seem like I’m coming out of left field right now, so let’s do this: Why don’t we take a stab at deconstructing satisfaction?
Satisfaction Deconstructed
Ask yourself this: Is it possible to feel happiness without satisfaction?
Let’s try and figure out if this could be possible.
The following is a short list of inventions that have transformed modern day society. What do you think was the common motivation behind each of these historic creations?
- Airplanes
- Automobiles
- Computers
- Power Tools
- Air Conditioning
- Fiber Optics
- The Cotton Gin
- Television
- Traffic Lights
- The Light Bulb
- Cell Phones
- And on and on and on
While that answer forms in your mind, take a look at this next list. Form an image in your mind of individuals who’ve overcome these kinds of personal struggles.
- Poverty
- Abuse
- Addiction
- Discrimination
- Learning Disorders
- Social Conditioning
- Illiteracy
What do you think was the common motivation behind those personal transformations?
When I think of all of the things on both lists, one word comes to mind: dissatisfaction. Think about that one for a moment.
You see, all of those inventions and personal transformations only came about because a person’s creativity & determination were inspired by their dissatisfaction with the status quo. Frankly I’ve never heard of anyone creating anything worthwhile when they were satisfied with what was already present.
Satisfaction is essentially the first cousin of complacency. It’s a state of rest not growth.
So let’s dig a little deeper into dissatisfaction. You might think, especially after reading that last list, that dissatisfaction is all about negativity. I think it depends on how you look at it.
There are many people who don’t like some aspect of their lives. It may be an individual struggling with poverty, a woman enduring physical & mental abuse from her mate or a laborer who doesn’t like the repetitive inefficiencies of his work. In all of these cases, these people aren’t necessarily dissatisfied, they’re just unhappy.
When people are truly dissatisfied, they transition from just feeling unhappy to actually believing they could create a different reality. Seeing yourself entering the middle class or clear of debt, imagining yourself free of that abusive relationship or envisioning a better way to get the job done . . . In that moment the new possibilities hold a positivity that greatly overshadows any negativity that was there. That’s when one becomes dissatisfied!
Their dissatisfaction becomes a clarifier, like a contrast knob on an old TV. It provides a clear contrast between what currently exists in their life and the image of what they would like to bring into reality. Then they can go about the business of doing it.
Therefore, dissatisfaction’s focus is overwhelmingly positive.
When I think of the Wright brothers, Marie Curie, Benjamin Banneker, Eli Whitney, Thomas Edison and scores of other inventors, I can almost feel the optimism, hope and enthusiasm that were born of their dissatisfaction. I’m sure they experienced, setbacks, frustration and many obstacles in pursuing their achievements, but I am also convinced that their motivation originated in positivity.
So I most definitely believe that you can be happy and not satisfied. In fact being happily dissatisfied is how I want to live because I know that I’ll achieve and become things I haven’t even imagined. What I also know is that my dissatisfaction won’t ever preclude my gratitude for all of the things currently in my life.
Here’s my wish for you: Recognize and embrace the dissatisfaction in your life. Use it as a compass for your own creation and you’ll find happiness. ;-)
"Dissatisfaction is the seed of invention."
- Geuka Amusa
Writer, Coach & Web Designer
Related posts:
I find that doing creative, fulfilling work is very satisfying, and I’m not totally happy without it — even if I’m making lots of money.
Kalin,
You are so right! When that authentic happiness isn’t there nothing can make up for its absence. Thanks for sharing.
Maybe “dissatisfaction” is the mother of invention…
Grace, your comment sent me Googling and I came across the quote “Necessity is the mother of invention”, by Plato. I’ve heard that one before (thanks for jogging my memory), but definitely prefer the use of the word “dissatisfaction”.
Necessity seems to speak to essentials . . . i.e. needing something because you just can’t do without it (food, water and air come to mind). Dissatisfaction in my view speaks to expanding possibilities and growth . . . i.e. bringing a new or increased good into the current reality.
Thanks for your comment!
heeeelloooo dissatisfaction!
lol, i so love this:)
u know one of my verbal hooks last year was “oh, that is unacceptable.”
i’d say that at least 10 times a day, all the while, i was and am laughingly happy
but as soon as i’d say that, i would get to work analyzing and interpreting ways to change things
once i start thinking about all the stuff we could create just by first seeing how some systems rob us, then things not only got clearer, they got honest and meaningful
you go Geuka!
Malena
“Oh, that is unacceptable!” I can hear you now Malena! ;-)
It’s good to make sure you’re not accepting just any ole thing.
I really like what you said about things getting clearer, honest and more meaningful when you clear the path for your creativity to flourish. Good stuff.
Thanks for your comment!