satisfaction

While highly significant and necessary in Ugandan culture, being served meals results in a loss of personal control over the quantity and type of food I eat. Consequently, too often some of my food remains untouched because my stomach has not quite yet adjusted to accommodate the abundant, hearty, carb-loaded meals. To inform my hosts that I have thankfully enjoyed sufficient food, I politely say "Thank you for cooking. I am satisfied.". In response, hosts may accept this statement as valid, or may offer additional food, or may (inaccurately) conclude my distaste for certain foods. Thus I am learning that being satisfied may bring contentment or may bring disapproval.

On a more philosophical note, satisfaction is good because we reveal a level of contentment, of joy, of pleasure, and of wholesomeness. Perhaps more importantly, acknowledging satisfaction affirms the many effective, productive, and healthy aspects of life. We begin to develop a positive construction of the world, in which gratitude, appreciation, and learning evolve. Moreover, being satisfied allows for personal and communal enjoyment without engaging in gluttonous behaviours. We sufficiently enjoy the blessings of God in their many forms, giving thanks for His provisions and promises. In essence, we must be thankful for and satisfied with that which we have: friends, food, and fun, and not lustfully desire more.

Alternatively, satisfaction can result in stagnant behaviours, misunderstandings, disapproval, or lack of motivation. Constantly being satisfied yields a lack of opportunity to improve, to grow, and to develop. Dissatisfaction helps us to understand our weaknesses and failures, ultimately enabling us to strengthen our character and environment as desired. Moreover, we learn about the nature of ourselves, our community, and our world as we identify dissatisfactions because we understand faults and areas for improvement. Thus, being dissatisfied helps us to conceptualize and practice virtues as they relate to our specific situation. Overall then, dissatisfaction is also healthy because we are constantly being challenged in all facets of life.

Now when asked if I am satisfied, I have learned that both the affirmative and the negative are appropriate, reasonable, and expected responses. As I thank my hosts for cooking, affirming "I am satisfied", I must ask myself am I really satisfied? In some circumstances I am, but I also hope dissatisfaction will continue to infiltrate areas of my life in which struggles can become accomplishments, failures become successes, fears become pleasures. A wise teacher here advised me that it is natural for all human beings to have problems. In other words, to be healthy and functional, we must balance satisfaction and dissatisfaction.