A Satisfied Mind

Posted on by Miriam

Is gratitude over rated? Can the world have too much positivity?

In my eyes there’s no such thing. Life’s not always easy however to me there’s no point dwelling on our lack, but rather the opposite.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” Melody Beattie

Are you satisfied with what you have and where you are?

A lot has rocked my world and those around me these past few months. Contrast, light and dark, good and bad, joyous days and shitty, heartbreaking news. We’re all dealt certain cards and it’s our choice how we respond. We can accept or we can deny.

We can pause, reflect and focus on what’s in front of us. We might stumble but eventually we move again, one step at a time and along the way we learn that it’s part of the process. The path is rarely straight forward.

Step by step we move forward

That’s what I’ve learnt and it’s what I’m doing. Whenever my thoughts become dark and begin to spiral I consciously try and find that centre of calm.

Camping trips, nature and walks in the Grampians have helped, but now it’s quiet time at home.

When we accept how things are our thoughts have a tendency to become clearer. It’s not always easy but finding that clarity and inner peace is key.

Even on days when life seems anything but positive, allow yourself to “feel” whatever it is and accept your emotion. Let it shift. Thoughts change. You don’t have to settle. That in itself is a gift

Finding solace in the simple

There’s so much I have to be grateful for: family, loving relationships, my health and the little things like journalling each night and reading on my new bestie, Keith the Kindle.

I’m learning too that it’s okay not to be “doing” all the time, that it’s okay to just “be”.

A satisfied mind? I’m working on it.

Lior sang it best in both his shows I saw recently. Here’s his performance in Melbourne. It’s worth a listen.

A Satisfied Mind

How many times have you heard someone say
“If I had his money, I could do things my way?”
But little do they know that it’s hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Once I was wading in fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life’s game
But suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
But I’m richer by far with a satisfied mind
Money can’t buy back your youth when you’re old
Or a friend when you’re lonely, or a love that’s grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When life has ended, my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones, I’ll leave, there’s no doubt
But there’s one thing for certain, when it comes my time
I’ll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
Songwriters: Red Hays / Jack Rhodes

What else am I grateful for?

For this iPhone that’s allowed me to put this post together, one fingered! And I’m grateful for all of you, my friends.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow bloggers in the US. Whilst we don’t officially celebrate it here in Australia, to me every day is a day to give thanks for.

Here’s to the feeling of abundance, peace and contentment that comes from having a satisfied mind, or at least striving for it.

In light and love as we continue the journey

Sharing this week for Forgiving Friday’s

105 thoughts on “A Satisfied Mind”

  2. Great post Miriam, isn’t that the truth ‘a satisfied mind’. Money is useless without health and friendships and being content and satisfied for sure. I keep reminding myself to celebrate and be grateful for where I’ve reached in just 3 years of striving for what I really want. Constantly reminding myself to be satisfied. ✌🏻And well done to you for doing this one fingered, a new skill! 😊

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    1. Haha, one fingered! Yep, I’m mastering the technique. 👍 But seriously, you’re right, it’s a good feeling to be content with where we are, even though I think it’s also human nature to want to strive for more.

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  3. Wonderful post Miriam, I agree, life often dishes out many obstacles, but it is how we overcome them, and how we perceive life..
    Coming back to our calming centres and breathing.. Knowing we shall get over this space in time and learning to see the values of what ever we are being taught in the process..
    Indeed we have so, so much to be grateful for. And I am thankful every day for the blessings we have great and small..
    Like you here in the UK we do not celebrate Thanksgiving.. But then I think each day we wake, we should say that little prayer of gratitude for what we have, especially when we look around the world to view what others haven’t got.
    And I don’t always mean that in a monetary way…
    We are blessed with love, and so many young souls today are finding their worlds empty and unloved..

    Have a beautiful weekend Miriam..
    Stay Blessed.. You are a beautiful lady with a wonderful Soul.. ❤

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    1. Aww, thank you so much Sue. Indeed we are blessed and I, like you, wake up each day with gratitude and thanks. It takes practice doesn’t it but it’s definitely worthwhile to focus on the good things and on what we have, no matter how small. There’s always something.
      Thank you again, my dear friend, for imparting your beautiful wisdom here. Always appreciated, as are you. Hugs xx ❤️

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  5. Hello dear Miriam,
    Such a beautiful, honest and thought provoking post. The lyrics you have included are quite profound for someone so young.
    I love being positive too but some days there is goodness in just ‘feeling’ exactly how you’re feeling.
    The money side of things is something I still grapple with as far as not ‘contributing’ when everyone else is working. I reassure myself that we forgo things as a choice so we can enjoy a different lifestyle. I love being a ‘home maker’ and a student, and I can’t pretend otherwise.
    Thank you my friend for a lovely post and I hope your finger is coming along nicely by now.
    Much love,
    Dianne 💐💞

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    1. Thank you my lovely friend. I know what you mean about the money side of things and I grapple with it too some days but you have the right attitude. Doing what you love and being true to yourself is a huge thing and I’m happy for you that you’re where you’re clearly meant to be. Keep enjoying yourself. As for me, the healing is slow and a lesson in patience but I’ll get there. Love and hugs from me xx 💕

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      1. I love you reply my friend. Thank you, and yes, these trials and tribulations are certainly a lesson in patience for us. I know you are turning this into a positive…
        Wishing you well and enjoy your brand new weekend. Much love 💐💕😘

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        1. Thank you dear friend. I’m certainly trying to turn it into a positive. Not always succeeding but I guess that’s life. Take care and you have a lovely weekend too. xx 💕

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  7. I woke up this Thanksgiving morning to a ray of sunshine: your blog. Thank you for starting my day with such positivity! Now if I can only stay positive through the chaos of the day 😉 Thank you again for your wisdom, put so eloquently.

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  8. Well said Miriam, going into our pain, whatever form it takes, knowing and accepting it is essential for our growth.
    Can see your arm is fully bandaged, do pray the op was fully successful and that your sister is getting treatment, take care dear one!

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  9. Beautiful and peaceful post Miriam. You do look contented there in the wonderful nature
    of Australia. 😊 . “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life…” you start the post and how I
    feel the truth of that. At times it will take practice but the easy gladness that follows is
    worth it.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and peaceful tapping with you ur finger. 💕

    Miriam

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  11. Great post! I agree,… I enjoy reading as a form of relaxation and also hiking sometimes to just be at peace with your self and enjoy every moment. Thanks for sharing 🙂

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  14. Photos always stunning. I loved this post of yours. So true. See through the cards and being grateful is such an art. But it sure makes it all easier.

    We are sent tests, because we are teady to face them, or they help us figure out how much more we have to work on.

    Loved this post, my cuppa tea for sure.

    Love bella

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  16. Really enjoyed this post, Miriam. I hadn’t heard the term ‘a satisfied mind’ before and I quite like it. Always having to be positive or ‘happy’ is a pressure that seems to be foisted upon us in current times. Realistically, we are going to have down days and if we stop resisting and simply accept those feelings, without dwelling on them, I think they will pass more easily. It’s all part of being human, after all. Not necessarily easy though, especially in trying times such as you’re experiencing. You seem to do a wonderful job of accepting and moving forward. Having a satisfied mind is something I would aspire to! I hope your surgery went well and your recovery is swift. Gotta love a kindle, eh? 😊

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    1. Thanks so much Kim, it’s always great to hear from you and to know that my words and thoughts resonate with others. Everything you say is true and yes, it’s all part of being human, we can’t be happy all the time but we sure can go easier on ourselves by not resisting. Hope all’s well in your life Kim. And yep, my kindle’s been a lifesaver! 🙂

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  20. Another thoughtful piece, and I have to agree – the ups and downs are what make life interesting, and if we could anticipate everything, I think we’d be bored…
    Thanks, Miriam, and have a good weekend!

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  21. Oh Miriam, I am so touched by this blog post. This in particular moved me SO MUCH:

    “When we accept how things are our thoughts have a tendency to become clearer. It’s not always easy but finding that clarity and inner peace is key.”

    This is so powerful, as is your key of taking one step at a time and being quiet within to recenter ourselves. I could go on and on. 🙂 Your use of Charlie Brown and Snoopy wisdoms is perfect. My spiritual mentor J-R saying that if he had one wish, it’s that his mind would leave him alone.

    I love your focus on inner peace, abundance, and clarity of thinking and focus. And I love YOU.

    Thank you for sharing this for #ForgivingFridays. It’s a great contribution and I’m honored and grateful to know you. Will be posting shortly. Love, Debbie

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    1. Hi Debbie, I’m touched by your comment and so very happy to hear that it resonated with you. I thought it was fitting for your blog which always uplifts me. Thank you for your beautiful words here and I look forward to catching up with your latest post when I get a chance (life has been a bit crazy this weekend). Lots of love xx😊

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  23. I think this is an important point, “When we accept how things are our thoughts have a tendency to become clearer.” It can be so easy to fight a reality that feels painful but acceptance opens doors that anger never can.
    Thanks you for all of your uplifting articles. May love touch your day.

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  24. I love the way you put that….”a satisfied mind!” Sometimes, it feels that if we are not happy, then something must be very wrong. But no one can be happy all the time, and troubles come to all of us. Learning to be grateful for what we do have, to simply “be” and to try to have that satisfied mind is much more realistic, and also more than enough. Thanks, Miriam!

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    1. You’re very welcome Ann. I’m not surprised that you resonate with this. After all, as you say, no one can be happy all the time. It’s how we deal with what comes our way that determines how long we stay in that state. Hope you’re well and the week ahead is a good one. xx

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  27. I loved your thoughts Miriam and the focus on a satisfied mind. Our mental health and well being is so important and I know I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with life lately. Being in nature certainly helps and I do like to take time out to read. We all need to take time to reflect on the good things in our life, no matter how small they may be. Have a beautiful week. xx

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    1. Thanks Sue. Sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling overwhelmed as well. Life and it’s demands have a tendency to creep up on us, don’t they, especially at this time of the year. Hope you’re getting some respite from nature or escaping into those books. Take care and have a good week. xx

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  29. That Lior knows a thing or two and so do you Miriam. If you can quiet your mind and just be in the moment, that is a gift indeed. Thank you for another lovely thought provoking post.

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    1. You’re very welcome Barbara. Lior is amazing and just being at one of his shows is a perfect example of living totally in the moment. Thank you for your lovely comment. Hope you’re well. xx

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  37. Many a times I have tried to accept the things around me as such as I know it’s out of my control. Sometimes still I wonder did it become out of control as I missed to read some signals on my path?… the mind is often confusing, still as u said trying to make it clearer and clearer..

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  38. So much joy and light in this post particularly!

    I can relate to this on so many levels. “Can there be ever be too much light or positivity?” I used to dim my light, and dampen my joy in order to make others with glass half empty mindsets feel more comfortable. No more! This is a crime against my spirit, and does not serve anyone, particularly those less fortunate. As Wayne Dyer used to say “I cannot get sick enough to get the sick better”.

    Thank you for reminding me why the light of gratitude will always be my path (and yours too). For in the appreciation of what is, do we find our way.

    Happy Sunday Miriam!

    Andrea

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    1. What a beautiful comment Andrea. I’m so glad my post resonated and reminded you of your gifts. I too used to feel the same way as you, trying to dampen my joy, but it serves us no purpose does it, to dim our light. May you always keep shining bright lovely lady. Wayne Dyer was a very wise man. Thank you again. Hope you’re enjoying a happy weekend xx

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  40. Keep Looking Up that is the Secret of Life and that last quote was the best, Miriam. Such beautiful love and full of gratitude is your post and lovely pictures too. We need to be thankful for every little detail in our lives. Thanks for the awesome share, dear.

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  41. Pingback: It’s Forgiving Fridays! Today is “A Year in Review – and a Forgiving Vacation!” – ForgivingConnects

  43. Nice read. Specifically the short flowing sentences about “Let it shift. Thoughts change. You don’t have to settle”. And again, I appreciate the comment on my blog thank you!

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  44. Yes, Thanksgiving and Christmas should live in our hearts every day! I agree! Even during the bad / sad / hard times, there is always something to be thankful for, if you just look.

    I am thankful for you. ❤

    I hope you are healing well, my sweet friend.

    xoxox

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    1. Oh yes, absolutely my dear friend, I couldn’t agree more.
      And I too am thankful for you. You’re so kind, I’m healing, slowly but surely. Sending you big warm hugs from afar xx ❤️

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  46. I felt like sharing my story after reading your post! 🙂
    Hi from INDIA!
    Its the most challenging for me to find gratitude in times of extreme stress and anxiety. I like to think in most situations humans don’t take things for granted unless they suddenly feel the lack of it. I have written a similar experience on one of my posts. That’s for another day though.
    I am grateful to have read your post and this forum to let us read, share and express! 🙂
    Have a great day

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you so much and I’m glad you stopped by to share your story. I agree that it’s challenging to find gratitude in times of stress but often that’s when we learn the most. I wish you well. 🙂

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