Is it popular discontent? Are you satisfied with what you have now?

Most people I know fall into the category of never being satisfied. It seems to be the way of the world these days as we are encouraged to "want this and want that". Once we get what we want, it isn't long before we feel nothing about it, and want something else. It is what drives the economies of most countries. As a Zen practitioner I am put in mind of what Buddha discovered - "desire is the root of suffering". That's a difficult one though (typical of Zen). To desire not to have desire, is still a desire. I think if I am just conscious of it, that will be enough. Through my meditation, I need to recognize, that my mind is mind, programmed to be the way it is, and I will only let go of that programming by letting it be.. if you know what I mean! - Derek

it's strangly!sometiames i'm satisfied with what i have now,but sometimes i begain to complain my life!It's maybe associated with the goal in the certain time!

I believe, youetme, that people desire more things only because they are being exposed to more choices. I grew up in a different time when people were happy with their lot in life for the most part, however, I've seen attitudes change along with progress. As more and more things are introduced into the market people become greedier to the point that they want everything they see. Too much ambition is not always a good thing. We have forgotten how to value the simple things in our race to keep up with the Jones'.

I can't say that I'm satisfied. With me it's not so much wanting more, but wanting better. For example, a VCR or a DVD player, VCR's were great when they first came out, but the DVD players quality was much better.

I have to wonder whether it is human nature never to be completely satisfied and to want more and more. I feel very grateful for what my family and I have and not just in terms of money but love and health which are probably more important because without health, for example, all the money in the world will make you happy. I pride myself for being a person who is not materialistic and is happy with little but lately I too am beginning to feel dissatisfied and sick and tired of the struggle to make ends meet while I'm waiting for the day that I will be paid more than just mere pennies.

Definitly satisfaction is the biggest wealth, I am fully satisfied what I am today, but u cant deny that human nature always demand more, In my case I am satisfied with my income, money, etc. but definitly looking a lot for carrer wise, I want to be more and more successful personality........

Well, there are many times I have wanted more than I have now. With things being so tight Financially everywhere it is easy to Wish this. Many times there might be things we can do to change this, or cut back on something, but overall it is still up to us on what will happen in our life for sure. If you are discontent with your life, it could be time for you to start exploring New options and ways to change what is going on for sure. No one else can change and make one Happy but yourself.

I would suppose that the people in the forest wished that their children did not die or that the wild animals did not raid their crops, and that they could survive without someone getting their foot infected. So it is not that they were happy with their lot, it was they had more dangerous things to worry about. A while ago, I was talking to my husband about a few people who went out into the Manitoban Prairies to see how life was back in the 19th Century and there was a show on Tv about a group that did a similar test down in the States, and the latter did survive, but the trouble was that they lived in a warmer climate while the ones up in Canada, had to have food shipped in during the winter. I said that they would have to chop their own wood, and if there were no axes, they had to make their own, smelt the metal, etc. and if they had not matches, had to use flint stone and grass. So the idea of going back to those conditions would not appeal to me. If there was a disaster yes, but who would survive? Only those who lived in the country. As for satisfaction, I do want more, but I am willing to work for it. So if you are not satisfied, you have to work for it. Just to not envy those who lived in the forests or the prairies in the 19th century because you did not know what life was really like then. It was hard and people especially little children were lucky to make it to their fifth birthday.

Well, it'd depend on people's circumstances. Odds are, SOMEONE'S complaints are justified. Not all of them, sure. But some. I'm quite content with my life. No, I don't have it all...but I have more than some and I'm the position that I can spread the goodwill...why shouldn't I be happy?

well i have my own theory about this. it is not so much of discontentment. it's more of people not knowing what they really want. i've heard so many people wanting to become rich. however, if you ask why they want to become rich, they couldn't answer. to me, this is a sign that they don't actually know what they really want. i'm contented because i know what makes me happy. i focus my energy on getting these things. it's easier to feel contented when you know exactly what to go for.

Discontent is everywhere. Nobody is satisfied with what they have, even the richest. Even I am not satisfied. I want a lot of things from life, like money, love, fame, respect, recognition, everything. It is too hard to be satisfied with what you have, it's next to impossible. Regards, AJ-Rox

I think that you're so right. And it's not always simply that people want more. I have a great example, too! My fiance's ex-wife is a VERY greedy person! While they were separated, it took her almost a whole year before she would get a job. It took my fiance telling her that he would discontinue paying the bills at the house she was living in (a house HE owns) and if she didn't start paying the bills, her utilities would be shut off. After that she FINALLY got a job. She seemed to think that he would continue to take care of her even AFTER their separationg and divorce. Now to my example. She wants a Lincoln Escalade. Now, I think they're beautiful cars. But WHY does she want one is the question. Not because she has a large family and needs the room...not because she, maybe, travels a lot. She wants one simply because of what it IS. She wants it because of what SHE feels it represents...it's fancy and a luxury vehicle...and THAT'S why she wants it. But she doesn't want to have to work for it. There is also a big difference in wanting something and working for it as opposed to wanting something and expecting it to just be handed to you. You know? I, personally, am so satisfied with my life. I think you're right that it is human nature to want more. But it's how it's obtained that I think is important and what a person is trying to prove by having a certain item. I have what I need in life, 5 great kids, a wonderful fiance (who I've known forever and wouldn't trade him for anything!). We have food, 2 cars, a home, clothing and each other. We don't feel we need to buy lots and lots of things just to have new things or fancy things. :-)

i am not satisfied with my life right now... why i said so is because i am having too many of problem..and i feel like i was the unluckiest person in the world. i try so hard to make my life better but it doesnt worth it.people always try to bring me down. but i am thankful to God because i got the chance to change everything. and now is the time for me to start all over again. after i succeed than i will be satisfied with my life....=)

That is a very true observation. People are really a bunch of discontented creatures who always have a craving for something more. I guess the key to gaining genuine satisfaction and contentment is for us to realize that these things are all but temporary and will just pass without a trace if we die. What we should do then is to prepare for eternity where the answer to all our questions and fulfillment to our cravings abound.

I am satisfied with what I have right now and would be more than happy to continue like this for the rest of my life. I have seen people who have overnight become rich or had promotions and increase salary and suddenly they are like buying cars and vacationing abroad and the children are in best branded clothes but I have also seen how they are running around all the time to maintain this standard and aim for more and more…there is just no end to it. And then they start taking loans from banks, start multiple business, send their children to expensive schools and life becomes more and more complicated. As for myself, both hubby and me are working with mid-level companies and mediocre pay. Our only child goes to a middle-class school which we can afford comfortably. We don’t earn stupendous salary but just enough to put good food on the table, good clothes, some entertainment, a yearly vacation and then some extra into the bank for the future. We plan our earnings and expenses and stick to them and never compare ourselves to our neighbours or colleagues. We are happy as we are.

I am not satisfied!! I believe satisfaction stops growth. Once you get satisfied you can't really move up. There a lot of things in me and my life that I want to change as am not very satisfied having them. Like my physical appearance, my mental level, my financial status, etc. Its this dissatisfaction that brings us to the point of trying harder to make it much better. But this dissatisfaction can do some good only if the person is true and hardworking. A person who is not hardworking will find out ways, not so good ones, to get what he wants and in that way hurting others to get himself moving. At the end this kind of effort will only make him fall hard. I am trying hard to change a few things and I believe that if I make it, I will have a better life. Take Care God Bless YOU

I'm not satisfied with my life right now. Why? Because I have debts in 7 banks and feeding 4 people... So how was that?? Sometimes I want to die because of a lot of debts that I need to pay with. Good thing I have a daughter, she's the only reason why I'm still living. I'm just doing everything I can, I'm working so hard that it comes to the point that I don't sleep for 2 days. I need to so all the sort of things where I can get money. I'm single mom and a bread winner. Even the money for buying salt in our house is my responsibility. I'm still praying and hoping that everything will be fine. I'm greatest dream now is to pay all my debts... If that will happen I will be the happiest person to be.

Honestly, I've quit at my job...because I'm not satisfied working here in our country, I'm planning to go abroad and go for better opportunities because I want to earn while I'm still young to put up my own business. But I'm not really complaining...I just want to improve my career if ever there will be opportunites abroad, but if ever it's not for me or not at the right time, I'll continue to work here in my own country, and try my best to be contented for what I have at the moment but I will not stop dreaming and pursuing what I want to do in my life. because I believe if I remain complacent, I will not grow in all aspects of my life. It's just normal for us to never stop dreaming and having a goal in life.

Actually there are a lot of people too contented with everything they have. I was a tutor for many years, and got angry a few times with my students who are too contented with their poor results. The passing grade is usually 50 out of 100 marks. Those kids were very happy to get just 51 marks. They were too contented with just a low passing marks. Based on my observations, usually one parent (mostly the father) of the kids was very contented with their lives. The kind of attitude rubbed off on the children. Usually the fathers were very contented to earn a stable but low income, no plan for upgrading, no plan for switching to a higher-paid job, no plan to take on overtime to earn more money. The mothers were the ones strickened with worries about the kids not able to get into good schools or whatever.

I agree that it is very easy to want more all the time. If I sit down and really think about my situation then yes I am happy with what I got, how I grew up etc... but of course the thought of more money, nicer car, bigger house is always there in the background. I think that people/I sadly compare themselves/myself with people who have more of everything and therefore we feel like we are missing out on how "the others" live. If we instead thought about the fact that the majority of people on earth (who won't be on mylot) have it worse than us then we might be able feel lucky about our own situation.