This lead me to a question of whether one should live in a state of discontent, demanding more out of life and expecting it - walking in faith, or if one should merely be grateful for what one has. Or both.
Both points certainly have merit. Unless we are following our true desires we simply aren't living. We're existing. By chasing our desires, we grow, we expand, we remain motivated and enraptured with life, even while it challenges us. God asks us to walk in faith. To be bold, go forth and to trust in Him (assuming right action).
At the same time maintaining an attitude of gratitude is immensely important. Whatever we focus on we draw into our lives. So if we look at what we lack, we'll tend to attract more of that. We need to be focused on what is bringing us pleasure to attract more of that instead. If you do not appreciate what God has already given you, why should you be given more?
This lead me to another question. What if you have a job or relationship you really enjoy but isn't fulfilling you at a level you really want to be fulfilled at? Do you leave it, boldly expecting to find something better? What if you don't? What if you go forth only to realize that what you had was already great? Or you simply fail to find what you were looking for and have lost what you had? Or the reverse: What if by holding on to what you have, you lose the potential to find that which you really want?
This is especially poi-tent if you happen to enjoy the relationship, job, etc., you are already in. Why ruin or disregard something that really hasn't done any wrong by you? You could fish for something better while maintaining what you have but that just really feels like cheating, doesn't it?
While pondering this, I was reminded that it's never finished. The job is never done. Even when you accomplish your goals or even your dreams, it's never done. You're happy for a period, but soon you start desiring more, or something else, or to bring this happiness to others, or what have you. You need another goal, another dream to keep you moving.
Even if you were to find the most idealistically, wonderful, dream-like relationship with a super charged sex life, it simply can't be maintained at that level for long. Life is simply too traumatic. It's like a ship in the ocean. You may have ideal conditions today, but tomorrow the seas may be rough. In fact, you're guaranteed to be met with advise conditions sooner or later. So even if things are perfect, they don't remain that way, not without constant effort.
A garden is another fine example.
Here's a story.
A pastor was driving through the countryside and noticed a beautiful farm house. The lawn and garden were lush and well manicured. The barn, fine and full. The fields bursting with near ripe crops in prime condition. In the field, slowing approaching the road, sat a farmer in his tractor. The pastor was so impressed he decided to stop the car and waited for the farmer to reach him.
Once the farmer was in earshot, the Pastor yelled out, "This is a beautiful house and farm you have."
"Well, yep, it is. Thank you," replied the farmer.
"You must be so grateful to God for having provided this all for you," stated the Pastor.
The farmer took off his hat, scratched his head and chewed on his straw before replying, "Well, yep, I most certainly am. But you should have seen the condition He had it in before I arrived."
It's funny because it's true. It took a tremendous amount of time, effort and dedication to get the farm to that state. Nor will it stay that way without endless time, effort and dedication. It would start to slide back into the condition the farmer first found it in. It's never done.
But the key, is to find a good plot of land to start with and build from. The same can be said for most other things. If you have a good solid relationship, build on that. If you have a good job, build on that. Look for ways to increase and build upon that solid foundation.
Once you've taken what you have as far as you can, and you will very likely be surprised by how far you can take something when you really put your mind, time and effort into it, with faith, if after that you're still feeling unfulfilled then you should seriously consider looking for something else. But you will either create the very relationship, career, home, financial situation, etc., you wanted or will have developed the skills necessary to turn it into a reality once you find the proper base to work from.
So don't fuss if it's not perfect. The job will never be done. Just keep moving forward, follow your bliss and be grateful for what you have. Just be sure to recognize the value of what you have before you leave it for something else.
That reminds me of another story, a true one, or so I'm told.
A farmer in Africa, sick of toiling away in the nutrient-poor fields for a penance, heard about diamonds being discovered elsewhere. Realizing that such a discovery could make him rich, he sold off his farm, pack his belongings and went looking for diamonds. He looked and looked in vain, eventually dying a broke and broken man.
The man who bought the farm, wanted to make irrigation lanes from a stream that cut through the property. While working in the stream, the man discovered a strange rock which turned out to be a diamond. He sold the farm for many millions of dollars to a mining company.
The first man was always looking for riches elsewhere, and elsewhere the riches always were. The second looked for ways to make what he had richer, and riches followed.
Preston Squire is an author providing free positive thinking, inspirational, motivational and success materials. You can find more articles by Preston Squire at http://www.thecuphalffull.com/
©Preston Squire 2010
Preston Squire is an author providing free positive thinking, inspirational, motivational and success materials. You can find more articles by Preston Squire at http://www.thecuphalffull.com/
©Preston Squire 2010
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