We've all heard the expression "fat and happy" -- it's hard to imagine someone described as "fat and happy" getting a lot of things done.
But what is that, what do people mean by the phrase? Certainly there's some portly jovial people who achieve things, no?
"Fat and happy" seems to relate to being satisfied more than anything else.
We all need a measure of satisfaction. When you can't get no satisfaction, you're driven to fix, change, improve things.
There is a a path of neutral equanimity, an egoless path which transcends the needs for self-gratification.
Maybe it's worth pursuing.
But if you're not on that path, it's incredibly dangerous to satisfy yourself with half-measures and compromises and stuff that's overall just lame.
The person who has a burning desire to write and share their message, but mutes this deep sentiment in favor of just consuming the writings of others?
It is a sad thing.
So too is convincing yourself that any sort of consumption is worthy, when you can be producing.
And certainly, we all know people who were great businessmen until they became rich, and then became soft. It is common enough. The hunger is gone. Fat and happy -- indeed.
It is difficult to intentionally forsake easy satisfaction, the satisfaction from consuming, finding a way to remain dissatisfied.
I would probably agree if you told me that desireless equanimity is the highest possible Way of all the Ways --
-- but if you are driven by satisfaction, make sure you don't accept satisfaction except in exchange for something great; do not trade your dissatisfaction for counterfeit coins.
Your dissatisfaction is current itself, it is the birth of virtues, it becomes life-giving, an impetus, a force, a deep wellspring of power.
Don't sell your dissatisfaction cheaply! Dissatisfaction is perhaps one of the greatest of your possessions; it is the grand vizier of nascent kingdoms.
Stay hungry, and -- thrive.