I love Real Simple Magazine, each month I pour over it's informative goodness and aethetically pleasing graphic design. My March (can you believe it?) Issue came this week and this little gem was the thought for the month. It rang true with me and has given me pause as I think about it. I often feel like I'm destined to be one of the "have nots" in this life (as far as financial wealth goes). Sometimes I handle this well and am content with what I've got, but every now and again (generally around my PMS week) I tend to sink into a funk and see only how much everyone around me has. I hate it when I do that and I feel like I'm being ungrateful for the blessings I do have, but still in the back of my mind I'm thinking "but they have those too." So my question for today is...**How do you find lasting contentment with your "situation" in life?**
11 comments:
hey jill- im amie's friend christina from cali...i felt bad that you posted that no one comments on your blog - so im going to now!!
what helps me have contentment..well i'd have to say my patriartichal blessing literally says..to you will come peace happiness and contentment-- that kind helps!!! but seriously..when i think of what other people have..i always tell myself "its always greener on the other side" and that "even if were on the other side - someone else ALWAYS has something more or better anyway - it never ends!"
Thanks Christina--I've heard all about you so it's nice to connect in this way. I appreciate your thoughtful response and agree with you, it's the never ends part that I hate.
You have posed another wonderful question that I am going to have to think about for a while before answering, but I will be thinking about it! Give me time and I will get you an answer. :)
Lasting contentment? Jill, you like to ask the tough questions, don't you? I think focusing on the things that are of eternal significance is one way (maybe the only way) to find true lasting happiness. Family, the temple, learning, and fostering one's talents, our friendships, plus the myriad other things we actually do get to take with us are the things that will bring true lasting happiness. The quest for "things" and having a lot of stuff can make one happy for a time, but this inevitably leaves you thirsty for more, bigger, and better things.
Lasting- I have not figured that out. So, I go for the bandaid and retreat to my happy space. This is always funny to me, because I envy what you have ALL the time! Long lasting friendships, a sense of humor, good taste, a clean house, witty and thought provoking blogs, journals for everything, two kids (5 can be so tiring!)... I guess we would feel more lasting contentment if we stopped comparing and worked harder at the things we wished we had/could do.
What an interesting quote! I'm going to have to keep that one in mind. I think the only lasting happiness comes from obedience to gospel principles. I try to give myself daily doses of short-term, worldly happiness by reading, creating, or just being surrounded by people and things that I like.
A burden we all carry. I've thought a lot about envy. It's so common, but it's a sin that is listed in the scriptures with murder and fornication. I've wondered if the Lord doesn't think of envy as a form of idolatry. Compare-it-tons-itus makes us discontent; reconciling ourselves to God's values brings peace. I like the quotes: "Contentment starts with grateful hearts." and "Joy is not in things; it is in us." Do doubt it's easier said when we have those things.
NO doubt it's easier said....
I just thought of a quote from a GA someone recently used in sacrament meeting: "Happy people are grateful people and grateful people are happy people." Pretty cool, eh?
I love the thoughts on being grateful....I am the first to get caught up with what I don't have but when it comes down to it... I haven't found anyone I would trade with....so if I have to give up what I have to get what they have - I'm good.....and this brings me LASTING contentment....(clear up until the next time I have to remind myself of how blessed I am!)
Missy that quote was very wise. I will try and remember it, and in doing so it will help me find actual contentment. I don't think we ever reach a place of contentment totally, probably not even after this life...I think our spirits and souls are always evolving that there is indeed actual contentment but we do not see it sometimes because we are so focused on trying to achieve it and holding on to it that we miss the moment when we could have enjoyed it. Since it is so abstract we only need to acknowledge we have it maybe for a brief moment or from time to time, and that sometimes is not easy and there lies the challenge...
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