Satisfaction

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Bing images

I don't know about anyone else, but for me, the process of writing and inspiration striking is a random one. Most family members and close friends resigned themselves years ago to the realization that any conversation or shared experience with me is potential fodder for either a plotline for a manuscript, or a topic for a blog post. I solemnly swore, hand over heart, to always change names to protect the innocent!

So, that being said, some names I don't change because they deserve full credit for sparking an idea that turns into a blog post. My friend Duane Scott is one of my regular sources for inspiration, simply because we talk a lot and we tend to make one another ponder deep topics. At other times, the subject might be lighthearted and fun, but this particular blog focuses on a 'ponder deeply' topic.

This was the original question thrown out that started the whole thing:

Question Of The Day: Is it possible for a person to be fully satisfied with who they are?
Duane Scott - Scribing the Journey

My response:

I think it is possible for people to be content - that's a different word and different emotional application. And both are conscious choices that we make daily - the same way choosing to be happy falls into that category. Are there bad things happening in the world? Are there bills to pay? Are there wars and famine and poverty? Yes to all of the above. However, rather than letting the knowledge of those things make us miserable, we can choose to find reasons to be happy. We can also choose to find reasons to be content and to be satisfied. They are all conscious choices.


So, yes, I believe it is possible. On the other hand, I also believe that continually striving for better in our lives is of paramount importance! If we stop dreaming, we stagnate. Perhaps the point I'm attempting to make is that it's possible to choose to be content/satisfied on a moment-to-moment basis. Hmm...perhaps a blog is about to be born!

His reply:

Dawn... Write on! Write a post! I'd love to hear your thoughts. These are amazing, but there are more tucked in your brain, aren't there. ;) I know you too well.

And here we are, with me writing a blog post! I've often debated the topic of what constitutes being satisfied. There are so many layers and facets to that word...it applies to literally every area of life. Not long ago, a different friend posted a quote that suggested we should release all ties to wanting more. The basic premise of that thought was focusing more on people who choose to embrace a materialistic life to their own detriment. While I see the full logic and value of being prudent along those lines, I also feel that it is equally important to always want more in life. I'm not necessarily talking about material possessions. Wanting more, for me, quite often is of a spiritual nature. I want to continue to grow as a person; I want to be able to feel that I am improving daily. I have abilities I want to continue to hone. I have negative traits I want to learn to release.

That being said, on a material level, I also have dreams. I aspire to improve the conditions of my life and feel that this is a worthwhile and necessary part of life. I want to succeed at so many dreams, and the hallmark of some of those successes will manifest in material gain. I want to continue to dream big. I want to always be learning and changing and growing. I want to make my own mark on this world, and I want to do it in a big way.

Stagnating is something I hold in abject horror. I have always cheerfully admitted to having what I dub Low Boredom Threshold, and this is what drives me to continue learning. Yes, it can also be an exhausting prod that I tire of occasionally, but the beauty of it all is that no one but me is behind the drive. I can call a halt anytime I choose and just bask in my current state. Perhaps it is those moments that the true sense of satisfaction is realized, but I also find immense satisfaction in discovering that next new challenge to conquer. To me, this is exciting, knowing that I'm on the verge of learning new things. Others might find that same process to be unbearably boring. We're all beautifully unique in what gives us joy.

Is there a way to truly answer Duane's original question definitively? Of course not. I rarely embrace absolutes, because we live in a world that changes from one second to the next. In one breath, I can claim that it is most definitely possible to be completely satisfied and at peace. I am quite often content, as I am richly blessed in the things which truly matter to me...loving family, good health, loving friends, a roof over my head and an agile mind. In the next breath, I can claim with equal fervor that I hope to never be fully satisfied, because to feel such a state would make me, personally, feel there are no new vistas to explore.

And there are always, always new vistas to explore. THAT is tremendously satisfying to know...because the journey goes on.

Now let's see what YOU think. I think it only fair to continue the discussion and find out what you, and Duane, think of the result of that original stream of conversation. What side of the fence are you on? Is there even a fence existing on this topic for you? Are you a mellow, laid back type who embraces satisfaction with ease, or are you a bit more driven and rarely still long enough to contemplate a state of calm where you can regard things as being well done? Or, are you what I think most of us are....a mixture of both? Share your thoughts! I really do want to know, because by doing so, we all get to go on fascinating journeys that we would never experience on our own. The door is open...take me on a journey with you!

The art and language of comfies

We all have those days.  You know the ones; usually a weekend day or a week night where you don't have any particular place to be and don't feel like being particularly productive.  Household chores and responsibilities outside the house can be blithely relegated to the back burner and you declare it a Comfie Day.  Comfie Days, obviously, require comfie attire.  That can span the gamut from disreputable jeans or cut-offs (if it's warm weather) and a t-shirt that has seen better days, to sweats that are loose and soft, to yoga attire that is more form fitting but equally soft and comfortable.  If you're a guy in a relationship, you may find your personal closet lightened by a few dress shirts or t-shirts that your significant other has claimed for her comfie days.

If I'm the one declaring a Comfie Day, then you can pretty much bet that there will be one of two things involved during winter months - fuzzy socks or critter slippers.  Summertime comfie attire is completely different, but as we're still winding down the cold weather months, I'm focusing on the warmer version of comfie attire.

I've frequently wondered, since they hit the retail market, who in the world invented fuzzy socks.  They're a marvelous product!  The concept of kicked back, comfortable lounge wear reached new heights of comfie-ness when these socks were born.  They take chenille, flannel, and other soft materials and relegate them to the annals of history for what used to be comfies.  Fuzzy socks, simply, rule the world for cold weather comfie status.  They are thick, soft, fuzzy (of course) and come in a wide range of zany colors and patterns.  Some even have those little rubberized skid-proof patterns fused to the bottom to prevent you from slipping on slick flooring surfaces.

Better yet, they are very affordable and can be found at most drug stores and larger chain retail stores.   For those of you old enough to remember Toe Socks from the late 1970's, yes, my friends, there are now Fuzzy Toe Socks.  That's one trend I doubt I'll embrace, as I remember how uncomfortable Toe Socks really are to wear, but I know that teen girls the world over are probably in raptures over Fuzzy Toe Socks!  There's a fuzzy sock mania going on these days, and I, for one, hope it never dies down!

Moving on to critter slippers - this is another pinnacle in comfie status.  I rarely mix fuzzy sockedness with critter slippers because I'm fairly warm natured and wearing both make my feet feel smothered.  I also never wear fuzzy socks with shoes because they're so thick and plush that my toes get squished inside my shoes.  One or the other is my choice, but I realize I may be unusual in that regard.  There may be many who wear fuzzy socks outside the house; I wear them in lieu of slippers. 

When I do choose slippers over fuzzy socks, my slippers are of the critter variety.  I have one pair of the half-slipper, backless kind that my Mom got me years ago and these have baby lambs on them.  Baby lambs complete with ridiculous, flirty eyes with long lashes and equally absurd long, floppy ears with pink satin inside, soft fleecy, lamb-ish fur outside.  When I walk, the lamb's ears flap and wag, adding all sorts of hilarity to my sashay. 

My ultimate comfie punctuation, of course, are my Snoopy ™ slippers.  If you know me at all, you know I am a Snoopy fan and have a genuine appreciation for the Peanuts™ brand of humor.  Again, a gift from my Mom, they are wonderful!  They are these big, poofy, marshmallowy kind of full slippers that keep my feet warm as well as appeal to my sense of comedy.  Snoopy just makes a fashion statement of the best comfie kind and I wear these slippers proudly.

Okay, yes, I admit that this is perhaps more of a girl thing, embracing comfie-ness with fuzzy socks and critter slippers.  Manly men have their version of laid back attire for a quiet day or evening at home, but rarely do they embrace fuzzy socks and critter slippers.  That's more the territory of women who are not afraid to embrace their inner child and delight in the pure silliness of being relaxed. 

The best part about fuzzy socks and critter slippers is that they "go" with any and everything (well, within the confines of home, of course)!  In fact, the more bizarre and absurd your fuzzy sock colors and designs, the better.  When I was in my mid-twenties, I worked in a restaurant that had a very rigid dress code for the front of the house staff.  Black slacks, white button down Oxford dress shirt, black tie and suspenders, black shoes for everyone, male and female alike.  The one way we could express ourselves was through our socks, and I amassed a huge collection of colors and designs.  Jump forward to present day and fuzzy socks are being created in equally unique designs and colors.  Obviously this appeals to my sense of humor and once again, I am expressing myself with the language of socks.  Critter slippers are just a happy adjunct of that theme.

Why choose something of this nature for a blog article?  Because I feel that mental and emotional health can be addressed and catered to with humor and a dash of irreverance at times.  Taking time for ourselves and just being relaxed and free in whatever expression that appeals to us is important in the grand scheme of things. 

Something that I have always found of interest is that men like women in comfie attire!  I've taken informal surveys over the years about this with close male friends, and also with men I've been in relationships with and surprisingly, the overall consensus is that laid back, no makeup, hair in a ponytail, wearing comfortable clothes and the odd splash of personality via socks or slippers look is when they all find us ladies to be at our most attractive.  That never ceases to amaze me.

Granted, men are always appreciative when we do the full, glamourous, girlie presentation, done up to the nines for a night out on the town.  But from the informal surveys I've taken, it is when we are relaxed and not trying to impress anyone that our true beauty shines most brightly.  This always makes me smile, because it is true for everyone, regardless of embracing any fuzzy sockedness or critter slipper humor.

The art of comfies will vary from person to person, from season to season, from age to age.  Not everyone will "get" your personal application of comfie-ness.  That isn't important; what matters is that your particular brand of comfie-ness gives you joy and allows you to completely relax, be yourself and find that inner glow of peace and contentment. 

Spring is approaching and my fuzzy socks and critter slippers will be relegated to the winter clothing storage section of my closet.  Comfie attire will shift to yoga style clothing and oversized shirts with cutoff shorts.  Bare feet with cute pedicures will rule the warmer months of the calendar.  Flip flops and pretty sandals will be the form of expression that is embraced.

The art of comfies are simply an extension of who we each are, deep down inside.  If you look closely at that comfy attire, it will tell a unique story and if you ask questions, will spark a fascinating conversation a good 90% of the time.  Moving days, rehabs of furniture or additions to a home will be told in the form of tears in fabric, paint stains or ragged hems.  Clothing that should be banished to the rag bin or garbage will be held onto for those warm memories and brought out on comfie days to give voice to that inner contentment we all have deep inside. 

As a story teller, I am always captured by other peoples' comfies, and I will always be the one asking questions about that intriguing dash of outlandish style you have chosen to wear when you are the most genuinely relaxed.  It gives me an open door to learn beautiful, profound things about who you are at your most authentic level.  Comfies will definitely be different from one person to the next, but what is true for all of us is that our comfies define us in a very elemental manner. 

Who says each day should be rigid and formulaic in clothing? Embrace your unique comfie-ness, I say!  It is a slightly different version of the old standard of "Let your light shine"!  So, shine on in comfie-ness, my friends, and give voice to your own laid back contentment. 

*Disclaimer:  Mention of Snoopy ™ and Peanuts™ brands in this article are not meant to indicate, imply or suggest monetary compensation of any form was received by the blog author.*