Dissatisfaction

โ€œThis is the path we take in cultivating joy: learning not to armor our basic goodness, learning to appreciate what we have.
Most of the time we donโ€™t do this.
Rather than appreciate where we are, we continually struggle to nurture our dissatisfaction.
Itโ€™s like trying to get flowers to grow by pouring cement on the garden.โ€

~ Pema Chodron taken from “The Places That Scare You”

Do you find yourself thinking about the things that arenโ€™t going the way you want and complaining about your circumstances, other people, yourself?

Next time you catch yourself resisting or resenting, imagine that you are pouring cement on your garden.

Itโ€™s an incredibly powerful practice to start clearing out the thoughts that poison our own happiness.

We can change this by re-focusing on planting seeds that come from the heart. The seeds of gratitude, appreciation and loving kindness.


Open your heart
And put away the cement mixer.
Feel the load lighten.
Let this nurturing space
Bring joy and loving kindness
To nourish every part of you.

18 responses to “Dissatisfaction”

  1. Oh geez. Thank you Val. I do need to stop nurturing the wrong things. Itโ€™s amazing how a different way of hearing something opens our eyes wider.

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    1. Glad you appreciated this Colleen. ๐Ÿ‘€
      Thank you ๐Ÿ’›

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome Val ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Yes! How we feel about life depends on where we place our focus. If we get in the habit of focusing on the negatives, life is a dark and dingy place. If we turn our attention to what is โ€œrightโ€ with life, we find ample evidence that life is light and bright.

    Master your thoughts, master your life. ๐Ÿ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wise words Nancy. Thank you.
      Now to live them as best we can ๐Ÿ’•

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Where the mind goes the man follows, right? We can’t live a positive life when our heads are filled with negative thoughts.

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    1. Yes. Thank you Jill ๐Ÿ’›

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Loved Pema for decades now. “… learning not to armor our basic goodness …” Love this. โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thats the part that really sticks isnt it… ๐Ÿ’•

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It is. Because, though we need boundaries, we do not need walls. โค

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  5. I also love: “Every thought is a prayer.” โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah yes, now we travel deeper. ๐Ÿ’•

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  6. What a shocking image that is (pouring cement on your garden) and quite eye-opening! Thanks, Val. Wise advice as always. โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Diana. The image shocked me as well. (Of course, I couldn’t find something so horrible on images on the internet)
      May it keep waking us up when we find ourselves moving towards resistance and negativity. ๐Ÿ’•

      Liked by 1 person

  7. LOVE IT!!! Val! That is a pretty unbelievable image…not one I want to partake in…so it has made a huge impact! The amazing thing is how often we are pouring cement and we don’t even realize it!!
    Sending lots of love and light…hope you are well โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you dear Lorrie. ๐Ÿ’› When I read this I had such a strong reaction too. Itโ€™s an image to have ready when we notice ourselves moving towards resistance, complaining and self pity.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I like the image of the cement mixer ๐Ÿ™‚ It will stay with me…as a great reminder โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Me too! ๐Ÿ‘€ Thank you Helen.๐Ÿ’›

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โ— About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.