The quality of our lives revolves around a few simple satisfiers.  These are not what we desire as children: fame, riches, beauty or power.  By themselves they are fluff without substance.  These childish hopes are window dressing “feel goods” that can come quickly, like winning the lottery, but the joy that they bring will be short lived unless the “lucky” person also possesses the other, more basic satisfiers.  Instead, I’m committed to discover a sense of purpose, establishing healthy relationships, personal and spiritual development, and anticipation.

To have a satisfying life we must have a sense of purpose.  We must be productive in an area that is fulfilling and purposeful.  This activity does not have to be income-producing.   Operate as a successful mother or father of our children can fulfill our purpose.  We may find fulfillment in a volunteer activity or an artistic talent.

A second basic satisfier is establishing healthy relationships, both friendships and more intimate relationships.  Successful relationships, over time, are difficult and require mature skills.  Most people in relationships are not static but constantly changing.  So, figuring out what is necessary to make a particular relationship work today may change tomorrow and have to be reworked, again and again. 

A third area is personal, spiritual, growth and development.  We experience satisfaction as we grow and mature.   When we grow and develop our skills in living, we are less stressed, more social, and more successful.  We all seek to understand the mysteries of life and the meaning in our lives and in God.

A fourth area is something to anticipate, to hope for, to look forward to happening.  This satisfier can enhance the other three but spurs us onward to more delights.  We want to grow emotionally and interpersonally.  We look forward to understanding ourselves, understanding those to whom we relate, and a search for questions, perhaps never to be answered.  Hope keeps us asking the questions, so, our hopes for the future never end.