I've been thinking a lot about the idea of contentment. I know some people (and I'm sure you do too) who are in need of contentment. They are constantly anxious (as an active state, not a passive anxiety), or hold on to old resentments and grudges, or are quick to insult (If you go looking for a slight, you'll find one), or are often disappointed by unmet expectations.
OK, that's often me too.
Contentment is the antidote.
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| Dogs have a lot to teach us about contentment. |
It's not about settling, or being a Pollyanna. It's not about blind optimism: if anything, I call myself a cheerful pessimist. I tend to assume worse things will happen and remain open to being pleasantly surprised.
Instead, it's about radical acceptance and gratitude. It's about seeing what you have, and how things are, and accepting them without judgment. It's about assessing and loving what is beautiful in your life. This season, after the harvest and leading up to Thanksgiving, when the nights grow long and we begin to turn inward, is perfect for evaluating what in your life brings you joy.
I'll be posting 30 days of gratitude, and I hope you will, in some way, join me.
2 comments:
I love this idea. I've been very introspective of late, as you probably know, and this is right in line with that.
You're beautiful.
I saw a quote recently - "Once you realize what you are there's nothing left but gratitude and laughter." It hit pretty hard (i'm actually thinking really hard about tattooing gratitude on one arm and laughter on the other, in very obvious places, because of it). Anyway, this is just to say, it's something i've been ruminating on lately, and it came to mind reading your post.
I'm grateful for you, by the way. Thanks for being awesome. <3
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