On the other hand, fulfillment is something we seek, and is directly connected to reaching our potential. The two are unequivocally intertwined and one will affect the other.
Humans from the beginning of time have sought things to fulfill themselves, but in their desire to do so, have sought after things that fill themselves. They are the same thing, you say? Oh no, is my response!
Here's the difference: fulfillment is the satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one's abilities or character. Filling is an act or instance of filling or something that is put in to fill something else. For example, trying one more extreme sport to top the thrill of the last one; playing games on devices to entertain and to prevent boredom; tracking contests on social media to try to win prize after prize after prize, and spending money on the latest, greatest and "best" temporary things; addiction to substances, gaming, or pornography to name a few.
What are we choosing to become by what we are choosing to fill our lives with? Consider these:
Let me demonstrate an analogy. Before my husband and I were married, his uncle and aunt, Steven and Debi took us out to dinner and shared some words of wisdom, including "The Five Tanks" analogy, or tanks that we need to be filling in life. While they spoke about them as pertaining to our relationship, they are applicable to every individuals fulfillment.
The tanks are:
Relationship and time with God (Service to our fellow man fits well in this one)
Relationship with Spouse or Family
Relationship with Work
Relationship with Self (hobbies, personal development, etc.)
Relationship with Friends
If these are not equally or adequately filled, we will look elsewhere to fill ourselves, and will do so with things-sometimes very bad-of no or on the other hand, serious consequence, such as those mentioned above. And the God tank is at the top of the list for a reason, it is the most important!
I'm not going to jump on the Woulda-Shoulda-Coulda-Train, so don't think I'm trying to guilt-trip you! Guilt trips don't do any of us good and don't bring about lasting change. There isn't harm in engaging in some of the previously mentioned "filling" behaviors, aside from the addictions, if they are kept withing a certain means. Heck, I love movies and enjoy some thrilling experiences. But when they become more important than our relationship with God and the Spirit, they become a BIG problem.
We are stunting our own growth and potential when we do. We are holding ourselves back because in many ways, we are replacing the Spirit with those things. What can truly benefit us more, Netflix and how many "Likes" we get on our Facebook Post, or the Spirit?
We need more of the Spirit in our lives. At least, I know I do. I consider my relationships and time with God, with my family and friends, and service to be the highest priorities, because those will help fulfill me, and also, others! But I, too, need to fill less and fulfill more.
We need to put down our phones and tablets and be present to the people and world around us; be grateful for all we have instead of buying a new toy or product we don't really need; open our scriptures and read the words of the prophets to help us with whatever life brings; get on our knees and talk to our Father in Heaven to deepen our bond and and seek help for our challenges, and serve others.
Notice that President Benson said seeking the Spirit is our challenge, and truly, it is, especially in this day and age. There are so many distractions and fillers to take us away from it. But the promise is sure: in seeking we will experience growth, great joy, answers to life's problems and lifting of our burdens that we perhaps can't even imagine. With promises like that, what are we waiting for? Go for it, and see what glorious things lie for you behind those doors of the Spirit :)
