The search begins pretty early. I think that all babies
crawling across a room have simply begun a journey which never ceases: the
search for fulfillment. Food, water,
warmth…the basics are pretty easy to spot and usually to satiate. The more
elusive fulfillments – affection, accomplishment, respect , etc – are a good
deal more difficult because they are to some degree transactional. Affection is loving and being loved.
Accomplishment comes in a field of endeavor often with some sort of infrastructure
and previously set records or milestones. Respect is the outcome of both
accomplishment or struggle and relationships.
Some people find fulfillment in material gain…or think they
do. Others find fulfillment in pushing themselves to ever do more and be
better. Still others find fulfillment not directly in themselves but in and
through other people – helping the downtrodden,
mentoring the young, celebrating and sharing in the accomplishments of
friends and family.
Many find fulfillment in faith and worship. This requires
less focus on self and more focus on community as defined by the faith
tradition. It means less control but a larger sense of belonging.
As with all things, balance is important. Every day can’t be
filled with a series of exciting, adrenaline inducing adventures any more than
every meal can be comprised of dessert items. Contentment is sometimes perceived
as being counter to what we view as fulfillment, but it is also
complementary. Contentment is to
fulfillment as light is to dark: one is necessary to define the other. Seeking peace of mind, too, can be
fulfilling, even when it is not thrilling!
