A River Between

I’ve been reading the book, The Sprit’s Terrain, by Christopher Child recently. A wonderful concept he brings about is the striving for Fulfillment in our lives rather than Satisfaction. I think that this combined with other changes I’ve been making has really caused me to embrace this notion of fulfillment.

Satisfaction, as Child puts it, is short term. It’s that comfortable resolution to dissonance that our lives have constantly. It’s the raise you get, the big publishing contract, the job you want, the house you dream of, or the person you envision to live your life with and live “happily ever after.” It’s feeling full. Satisfied. Belly’s full.

Fulfillment is a process, and a long term state of mind. Fulfillment is the stories we tell over time, the bus driver who knows your name who always wishes you a great day, your own growth through the good and bad. It’s your intertwining and changing dreams and ambitions, and how you live through the friction and tension of day to day life. It’s the freedom you have to grow and change, and how you do it throughout life.

Childs is an environmental and social justice activist at heart. He was on the front line of the beginnings of the Greenpeace movement. He talks about the ebb and flow of influence, politics, the peace movement, and how the landscape is ever changing. He talks about the need of activists and creative people to embrace an ideology of fulfillment over satisfaction. He believes that this process keeps people fresh and creative, and allows them to accomplish great things.

In my life, while I have a lot of stress at times and I’m not by any means at any “desitination” of life in my mind, I am choosing to feel more fulfilled.

Fulfillment to me is:

• My bus driver Paul who greets me by name with a smile each morning.
• My ever evolving singing practice, and the lessons I’ve taken from Wendy over the last four years.
• My learning to help non-profit and arts organizations thrive and gain business and organizational competence.
• A summer of softball at age 36, still improving.
• The years I’ll go to science fiction conventions, meeting creative people, and forming lasting friendships.
• Growing in my mind-body-spirit practice with my new practice of yoga.
• Being able to fall in love. Being open to love. Letting go when I need to.
• Continuing to learn and pursue my creativity in the realm of holistic health, art and music, sustainable living, peace and non-violence, and community service.

These are things that no six figure salary destination could ever replace. Had I known the destination in advance on my road to life, many of these things I would never have noticed. Fulfillment is a process, and I hope to never be finished or satisfied.