When the year 2000 came along, the radio stations had some lists of the most popular songs of the 20th century. In the rock and roll category the song that was the most popular song of the 20th century was "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. This was a metaphor for my generation. In many ways my generation was first to experience certain phenomenon. We were the first to experience TV. Frozen food, processed food, fast food, super markets, prosperity at unprecidented levels, comfort at unprecidented levels. Many of these phenomena created a severe imbalance between yin and yang in the general population. In general, when we came out of high school, we were predominantly excess yang.
I deduce this because of the result that it produced, a rise in the use of drugs and alcohol. These extreme yin substances were in high demand because of the imbalance that was the result of what we did as children. In many ways, prosperity leads to excess and when the system is in excess, it does not feel satisfied. So this dissatisfaction was a critical factor for my generation.
Many of my generation have never found the kind of profound sense of satisfaction that is the result of becomming balanced.
When I was 40, I was a wreck. I had screwed up my career and my marriage. I was overweight (185) and I was aggressive, boorish, sluggish, and depressed. I knew I had to make a change. I heard about a diet that was supposed to bring balance to the system and I was curious so I got a book about it and read it. It said that to bring balance you need to eat foods from the middle of the spectrum of foods yin to yang. It said that for where I lived, medium grain whole grain brown rice was in the middle as well as other whole grains. It said to combine these grains with vegetables and fruits that were locally grown and in season, chew everything well and enjoy. I decided to try it.
I had a box of brown rice in the cupboard and I got it out and cooked it. I added a cup of cooked brown rice to my meal twice each day and did not worry about giving up anything. After two months, I had lost 25 pounds, my desire for meat had reduced by 90% and my desire for sweets had reduced by 50%. The most impressive effect, however, was a feeling I had never felt before, which I can only describe as satisfaction. Suddenly the world looked very different. A whole array of opportunities opened before me. People at work noticed the change. They said I was more peaceful, more approachable. I was less angry, less moody, more even. I had more control.
Since then, I have continued to evolve in many ways, but the feeling of satisfaction has never left me and has become the basis to explore higher dimensions of life.
Find satisfaction in your own life. You will be glad you did.
Thanks for reading. Blessings.
I deduce this because of the result that it produced, a rise in the use of drugs and alcohol. These extreme yin substances were in high demand because of the imbalance that was the result of what we did as children. In many ways, prosperity leads to excess and when the system is in excess, it does not feel satisfied. So this dissatisfaction was a critical factor for my generation.
Many of my generation have never found the kind of profound sense of satisfaction that is the result of becomming balanced.
When I was 40, I was a wreck. I had screwed up my career and my marriage. I was overweight (185) and I was aggressive, boorish, sluggish, and depressed. I knew I had to make a change. I heard about a diet that was supposed to bring balance to the system and I was curious so I got a book about it and read it. It said that to bring balance you need to eat foods from the middle of the spectrum of foods yin to yang. It said that for where I lived, medium grain whole grain brown rice was in the middle as well as other whole grains. It said to combine these grains with vegetables and fruits that were locally grown and in season, chew everything well and enjoy. I decided to try it.
I had a box of brown rice in the cupboard and I got it out and cooked it. I added a cup of cooked brown rice to my meal twice each day and did not worry about giving up anything. After two months, I had lost 25 pounds, my desire for meat had reduced by 90% and my desire for sweets had reduced by 50%. The most impressive effect, however, was a feeling I had never felt before, which I can only describe as satisfaction. Suddenly the world looked very different. A whole array of opportunities opened before me. People at work noticed the change. They said I was more peaceful, more approachable. I was less angry, less moody, more even. I had more control.
Since then, I have continued to evolve in many ways, but the feeling of satisfaction has never left me and has become the basis to explore higher dimensions of life.
Find satisfaction in your own life. You will be glad you did.
Thanks for reading. Blessings.
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