Happy or Satisfied

Sharing a good article that I recently came across.

What makes an individual happy? What makes a person feel satisfied? Can someone be satisfied even if they’re not happy, or will they find happiness even when they’re not completely satisfied? Knowing the difference between happy and satisfied can be tricky.

 

Throughout life, we strive for happiness while also having wants that need to be satisfied. But, how are they different and is it possible to be both happy and satisfied?

 

What Is Happiness?

Happiness is defined as both an emotion and state. It’s a subjective term used to describe a wide-range of positive emotions, such as joy, pride, contentment, and gratitude. Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness, further describes happiness as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” A person can be happy, even though they’re not satisfied.

 

What Is Satisfaction?

Satisfaction, on the other hand, is a state of contentment where all of your desires have been met. You typically find it in possessions and the enjoyment of things that bring you desire.

Meeting the desires of your heart, as well as the demands of your needs, doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily be happy – despite the fact that you will never want for anything when you are satisfied.

Take for example purchasing a home. You’re initially happy with the purchase, but that level of satisfaction will diminish over time. Even though you’re happy, you may no longer be satisfied with your home.

Additionally, people can be happy when even their most basic needs haven’t been met. For example. if you see poverty as a blessing, as opposed to a curse, you are content with what you do have.

In this case then your chances of being happy are actually greater. Someone other person who views material possessions as a necessity in life won’t be quite as happy..

 

The Differences Between Happiness and Satisfaction

The easiest way to compare happiness and satisfaction is by quickly looking at the characteristics of each.

1. State: Happiness is a state of bliss, while satisfaction is a state of contentment.

2. Loss: Happiness is often lost after an individual fails to achieve something, but satisfaction only decreases when the individual cannot achieve something.

3. Enjoyment: Happiness is shared and enjoyed with others, while satisfaction is enjoyed within.

4. Measurability: Happiness can be measured, but satisfaction cannot.

 

How Can You Become Both Happy and Satisfied?

Despite the differences between happiness and satisfied, and being able to have without the other, it is possible to cultivate both by:

1. Keeping life as simple as possible.

A lot of us over-analyze everything and make things more complicated than they have to be. Sometimes it’s alright to keep things simple like saying ‘no,’ reducing the amount of clutter in our lives, or just going through a walk in the park.

2. Being thankful for everything you have now and show gratitude.

Reflect on the things that you’re thankful, such as having a roof over your head, food to eat, a job, or spouse, and jot these thoughts down in a gratitude journal. Also thank the people in your life who have made it better.

3. Living in the moment.

Don’t dwell in the past or obsess about the future. Enjoy right now.

4. Becoming self-satisfied.

Stop wanting more so that you can enjoy what life has already given you.

5. Nurturing and enjoying your relationships.

Stay connected with your nearest and dearest, invest in quality time with them, offer sincere compliments, and only hang-out with others who are happy.

6. Loving yourself for who you are.

Stop trying to be someone else or someone you aren’t. You don’t have to change anything about yourself in order to be both happy and content.

7. Beware of indecision.

Life isn’t easy and you’re going to make tough decisions. Instead of missing out on an opportunity you can’t be indecisive. At the same time, make sure that you’re objective by gathering as many facts as you can so that you can make more informed decisions.

8. Avoid anger and negative energy.

Always try to remain positive and optimistic and eliminate any anger or negativity in your life, such as that friend who always complains.

9. Having a sense of humor.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. Laugh, joke, and have fun!

10.Helping others and living with meaning. Volunteer, give back to the community, treat others with respect and kindness, play to your strengths, and get in the flow.

11. Embracing your mistakes.

We all make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.

12. Spending money on experiences.

Happiness and satisfaction over material items fade over time. Experiences, however, become a part of who we are, can be shared with others, and gives us a sense of meaning.

13. Taking care of your health.

Make exercise a regular habit, eat healthy, mediate, and get the quality sleep that you need each night.

 

Source –

https://www.calendar.com/blog/knowing-difference-happy-satisfied/

 

This Too Shall Pass

If you are looking for the perfect phrase to get the balance we all strive for in our lives, this is it. 'This Too Shall Pass' gives one hope when things are going wrong and keeps one in check when everything is going right. It represents the cycle of life and asks you to respect, if you will. The story goes that this phrase was inscribed in the ring worn by the king, whose desire was for a phrase that captures the wisdom of the world. Very apt, isin’t it?

Today we will delve into the examples of disruptions – where leaders have given up their power and position to challengers – countries, corporations, cities, dynasties, monarchies, wealthy families etc. the cycle is everywhere.

The title of the worlds most powerful moved along (with a lot of bloodbath) from the Asians to the Ottomans to the French to the Dutch to the British to the Americans and many in between (Spain, Portugal, China, Japan, Russia, Italy, India etc). You see one can’t hold on to this title for too long.

The corporate version of this is much more fun. Just think of it -

IBM was the original tech co before other tech majors came along and upstaged it

DC (with Superman) were unbeatable before Marvel superheroes

Orkut was original before Facebook

Yahoo before Google; Rediffmail before Gmail

Boeing before Airbus

Tesco before Walmart

GM before Toyota

SBI before HDFC Bank

Everyone else before Jio

Those with power give it away due to external factors (anti trust regulations - Carnegie Steel, Standard Oil and competition –) or internal factors (mostly hubris – look at GE and many financial institutions that ceased to exist post the great financial crisis). So it should only be expected that todays largest companies will not be the largest in the next few decades – this churn is actually desirable as it reflects a dynamic and a functional system.   

The point is that one has to respect the cycle. That’s why the triad of Brahma – Vishnu – Mahesh (creator - preserver – destroyer) is such an exceptionally powerful concept. We desire status quo while nature abhors it.

So if you are an underdog in the fight – don’t despair – history is on your side if you play your cards well, stay in the game and get some lucky breaks. And if you currently have the pole position – be paranoid and enjoy it till it lasts, for someone will come along who you will have to pass the baton to. For this too shall pass, as it always does.

What Are You Looking For?

As we get into the new year and a new decade, it is as good a time as any to sit back and think on our goals and aspirations. What are we looking for? How are we going about to get it? How will we feel once we get there? What will we do once we get what we are looking for, as it is a journey and not a destination? We can be looking for status, wealth, happiness, power, creating a social impact, meaning, bliss, social circle, knowledge, health, our definition of a perfect life and what not - there is no judgement here. Anything that makes us happy and gives us energy to go after it will do.  

People who are looking for meaning in their lives eventually get it. People who are looking for purpose conduct their lives accordingly, it is perfectly ok to have different purpose to suit the stages of our lives and where we currently are in the journey. Only thing we need to look out for is that over the medium term, we should be moving forward. Setbacks are a part of the package, testing us for how strong is our will and commitment. People who are looking for trouble get into it, too often. People who are looking to get outraged find their community in twitter 😊

All of us are smart with lots of drive and we will ultimately get what we are looking for. We will also ultimately keep only as much as we deserve. So plan well, execute well, be prepared for both headwinds and tailwinds and along the way, get capable to retain what you get.

Wishing you a very happy, prosperous, meaningful and healthy decade ahead.