Contentment

Contentment is that learned behaviour which is not dependent on circumstances but it is a state of being, not a state of doing for it is entirely based on the riches we develop inside us through our upbringing, thought process and behaviour etc. It is the inner sense that makes us contended and satisfied, therefore we must understand that contentment is a journey not a destination with a beginning, a middle and an end and on its completion which we enjoy to the utmost while travelling. Living each day and savouring every moment of it as if it were our last should be our resolution and we must learn to cope with our frustration because total control in life is rarely possible and we get frustrated for different reasons on various issues.

At some point, we all get caught up in our own misguided attempts to find peace and contentment by over working ourselves to death.

This reminds me of a famous artist who met a fisherman enjoying himself and soaking in sunset.

“Why aren’t you out fishing?” the artist inquired inquisitively.

“Cause, I’ve caught all the fishes I needed for today.”

“Well, why don’t you go out and catch more? Make a profit, buy a bigger boat, hire more men and become wealthy. Then only you could just sit and watch sunsets.”

“What do you think I’m doing now?” the fisherman smiled.

Our frustration should be at such a tolerance level that it should not kill contentment giving rise to frustration. Today is all what we have, right now is all that we possess and we need to appreciate and thank God for the same.

Just living for ourselves shall give us contentment. Many of us don’t even know what exactly contentment is because we expect our environment to be exactly the way we want it to be. We want our spouse to fulfil our expectations and our children to conform to a prewritten plan we have ordained for them. And this way we want everything to fall into its perfect niche in the little cupboard where we compartmentalize every element of existence. Why?

Why can’t we not let everything go according to its own pace? Why do we not let everyone live their own way? Why do we need to command everyone? Why cannot we give space to our own near and dear ones so that they too live their own life? Why can we not be happy in the happiness of others?

When we’re focused and aware of our ambitious goals, we are likely to feel contented and happy because if we don’t know of our expectations, then life becomes dull and boring therefore always make small achievable goals and pursue for them vigorously for inspiration to a prosperous future. Enjoy even the small things in life as we can only be contented from such deeds only. This cannot be purchased from materialistic things as money is not everything in life. In the pursuit of contentment, chasing after life’s big pleasures instead of enjoying the small ones is futile because this is as if we are losing tiny sparkling diamonds that are strewn across our path in running after the big ones.

Never sacrifice family for the sake of your own achievements because family is the one who is the real well-wisher and always wants to see us happy and smiling even during odd circumstances. Just imagine for a moment … you are extremely rich living in a big house of your dreams with an expensive car and rich bank account and plan for a luxurious five star holiday. No doubt it is wonderful that you have achieved what you aimed for, but how, with whom and on what cost? You are standing all alone with no one to share your contentment whereas your other family members who may not be having so much wealth are united and happily enjoying themselves with each other. For wealth you might have sacrificed your family, but your family preferred sacrificing you for happiness and contentment.

You may have had to relegate your loved ones to the second best, but you have a failed a precious relationship in your awakening, and you have missed all your children’s childhood years, or been too busy to celebrate birthdays and remember anniversaries. At the end of the day, it’s no good having all life’s luxuries if there’s nobody meaningful to share them with. Discontentment leads to more desires and needs which is nothing but deception. We can only feel contented when we need to complete our journey from earth to heaven in peace, satisfaction and humanity, it is only then, when we actually can attain self-actualization.

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