Engaging the disquiet

On a related topic I read that "dissatisfaction" is often a precursor to improvement. This author said recognize your dissatisfaction for what it is (an imputus for change) and then move on from there.

Wesley Hein
Wesley [at] lifetwo [dot] com

"Do you feel like there is something wrong with your life?"
"There is a restlessness I call The Disquiet."

I'm sure you mean well, but PUH-LEEZ. Ninety-nine percent of "disquiet" is just plain old self-importance. You are restless because all your energy is devoted to YOU.

If we got over our collective selves, even just a little, we might find clarity and fulfillment in just being - not achieving, competing, outdoing, comparing, manipulating, winning or finding ourselves - just keeping quiet watch over our little part of the Earth and helping those who aren't as fortunate, or as wise. I believe that's called grace.

With the talent of writing and, obviously, the sense to know there's something noisy going on in your life, why in the world don't you put it to better use? Lend your voice and your talents to causes that don't have the gift of voice you have. This is exactly why Boomers have such personal turmoil - we believe all the bullshit we made up in the 60's. And then try to we sell books about it.

Curiosity, humor, compassion, generosity, responsibility, silence...

To the earlier poster writing about the disquiet as being mostly the result of being self-focused:

I actually agree with you that our generation is very self-centered and in the extreme, narcissistic. That is part of the problem! That is what leads to an almost constant state of dissatisfaction. There is no end to the striving - to be better, to own more, to be more successful.

But what happens is a lot of us get stuck on this hamster wheel - trying to fix or stop the pain without looking at its causes. It seems the way to go is just throw up our hands and say I gotta get over it and move on.

And then it shows up again and again. Think of all that wasted energy that, as you write, could be better devoted to working causes and helping improve our society.

Not until we look at what is really going on - and take it seriously - just like you are writing about, can we actually change. Then we can get clear on what we need to do. Until then, it's hard for many of us to uncover how we have become addicted to achievement or doing things that we think will make us happy and productive.

I think it takes engaging in ourselves before we can engage the needs of the world. Then we can become better stewards and live life with grace. I really like how you put that - and it's right! Great discussion - thanks!

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www.thedisquiet.com
Helping men who feel something missing in their lives

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