Contentment and Satisfaction

I am listening to the soundtrack for Hamilton as I write. I can hear why it is such a hit, and I look forward to seeing it next month. I mention it because Alexander Hamilton keeps saying how he is never satisfied.

I am a bit taken back by this, and it got me thinking about contentment and satisfaction.

contentment
noun: contentment
a state of happiness and satisfaction.
“he found contentment in living a simple life in the country”

satisfaction
noun: satisfaction; plural noun: satisfactions
fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, or needs, or the pleasure derived from this.
“he smiled with satisfaction”

Well, the dictionary makes as if the two words are synonymous. Perhaps this is true. Apostle Paul implores us to find contentment in everything. Mick Jagger reminds us that we can’t get no satisfaction.

Is it possible to be in both states of mind? Content, yet striving for more. A person who is not satisfied will work to be so, and those who are never satisfied are either doing nothing, or they keep raising the bar, setting new goals after each success. Content in their efforts.

I think it is good to be content but not satisfied. Continuous improvement but not malcontent. This is a worthy balance.

We are each responsible for ourselves.

We are also called to help each other. In fact, our highest calling is to place others before ourselves. This is service to others. Selfless is the word.

Antithesis to this is Selfish, or service to self. Every man for himself, right?

But, when all is said and done, judgement is against ourselves. When witnesses are called, what will they remember about me? When the Judge has all the facts, what will be the verdict?

Perhaps that is why we need the testimony of others for our defense, in which case, helping them makes sense.

SO? WHAT NEXT?