Do you see the glass as half full-or half empty? A contented person knows that the glass is half full, of course. Contentment is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances-wishes granted, goals achieved, gifts given, and things going our way. Contentment takes the more common path, focusing on what you already have instead of trying to get what you want.
Contentment is a matter of attitude. Contented atittudes come from appreciating the small, commonplace things of life-things that you may often take for granted. Even the most sorrowful life has moments of contentment. You may or may not have happy circumstances, but you have the choice to be constantly contented or constantly dissatisfied with your life.
A child already knows the art of being contented. Walking along the trail beside Daddy and Mommy, she stops to pick up an acorn. She loves the smooth feel of the nut in her hand, fingering its rough top. She learns from Daddy that squirrels love nuts and sees the flash of gray fur as two squirrels chase each other up a tree. An ice-cream cone presents a total sensous experience to be tasted with eyes, fingers nose and tongue. A soft velvet dress is stroked like a kitten's fur. Yet, on a rainy day, a mud puddle is irresistible for splashing and stomping. The squishy feel of mud between the fingers is as fascinating as the most complex and elegant gift to a child. How many times have you seen a child unwrap dozens of Christmas presents only to find her playing later with the box it came in? For a child, everything is a source of wonder and delight.
Cultivate contentment by living in the present. Enjoy the everyday gifts with a child's sense of wonder. Savor the scents, smells, sounds and textures of your life. When you make scrambled eggs in the morning, really taste their eggy richness. Stop and smell the coffee. Breathe in the scent of a rose. Listen to the sigh of the wind, the chatter of morning birdsong.
Find contentment in the small rituals of every day. Drinking a cup of tea. Having a quiet time every morning with prayer and Bible reading. Enjoy the sensation of the car moving smoothly down the highway as you commute to work or run errands. Be thankful for the kiss at night when you greet your husband at the door. (if applicable, lol) smile
Make time for leisured contentment. Enjoy the feel of earth in your hands as you plant and cultivate a garden. Read a good book by a winter hearthside. Go for a long walk or drive a bicycle down a country road, and admire haystacks, cows and trees along with wildflowers that grow in abundance in the ditch by the side of the road. Stop for a few minutes to admire a gorgeous sunset.
Cultivate your relationships. There is contentment aplenty in a cozy conversation over a cup of steaming tea. Hold hands with your husband and enjoy kissing his cheek after he's just shaved.(if applies, lol) Cuddle with your kids and teach them the games you loved to play in childhood. Make time for family fun. Schedule meetings with friends who share your interests and encourage one another on life's journey. Give time to causes you believe in and create community by doing good together.
Celebrate beauty and goodness wherever you find it. An awareness of life's beauty enriches the spirit, reminding you that life is not all about bills, traffic, drudgery, and lists of things to do. Buy a single rose or a cheery bouquet to brighten your day. Buy an extra one to share with someone else. Don't let clothes sit in the closet, waiting for that special occasion that never comes. Wear a favorite dress or outfit and make today a special occasion, just because. Make your home as lovely as possible, tastefully arranging the things you treasure. Enjoy a simple collection of stones or seashells or fall leaves that remind you of nature's bounty.
Cultivating a contented attitude of gratitude and appreciation can help you cope with difficult stitutions and develop the ability to see silver linings in dark clouds and rainbows in the rain. Choose contentment and reap its gentle rewards.
I WILL:
1.PRAISE GOD FOR THE GIFTS HE GIVES EACH DAY
2.CULTIVATE A CONTENTED ATTITUDE
3. FIND DELIGHT IN THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE
4. LIVE IN THE MOMENT INSTEAD OF WORRYING
ABOUT TOMORROW
5. LOOK FOR WAYS TO SHARE GOOD THINGS WITH OTHERS
6. COMMIT TO SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THOSE I LOVE
7. CULTIVATE GOODNESS
things to do
1. list fifty blessings you enjoyed today (try anyway)lol
2. write in your journal your thoughts about why your glass is half full instead of half empty.
3. make a pot of soup and share it.
4. learn how to do a simple home craft such as quilting or knitting that can be soothing for you.
5. get together with friends for tea and talk.
6. pick a favorite novel and re-read it.
7. spend an afternoon in front of a cozy fire.
Better is a little with the fear of God, than great treasure with trouble. Proverbs 15:16
I have kept my soul calm and quiet. My soul is content. Psalm 131:2
I've found the recipe for bring happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Phillipians 4:12-13 (Paul was content; so we can be also....whether we have cavier, lobster and prime rib or oodles of noodles and captain crunch!
2 Quotes
He who is not contented with little will never be satisfied with much. thomas benton brooks
Life is a great bundle of little things. oliver wendell holmes
see ya next week:
(a georgia peach) notice that i shortened my title, i always wanted to and today i figured out how. A GEORGIA PEACH is the title.
information is taken from the Checklist for Life for Women...Making the Most of Life's Challenges and Opportunities...Thomas Nelson Publishers.
2 comments:
This is where I"m at now. I am more content with my life and don't attach it to a monetary or material gain.
Today I enjoyed:
1) Silence as I slept
2) Got plenty of rest
3) Enjoyed my family (spoke with mom)
4) Did not check my email until really late and did not conduct any business with any authors since Friday!
5) Enjoyed the sunshine as I walked to the store
6) Listened to some old gospel music that brought back great memories of my days singing at my old Church (New Hope MB Church)
7) Gave some positive feedback to my online sister friend
8) Read "Taking Chances" and enjoyed getting into the characters - it's a love story but based on a very interesting concept of a sister whos under cover with the government, she's in love with an artist who wants her to settle down...
9) Did I mention, napping
10) Shared inspirational emails with family and close friends
11) Enjoyed all the day had to offer.
Yes, I see my glass as half full. And for me that's a good good thing.
Thanks for the lovely blog...keep it coming and continue to be blessed.
Funny. I was just talking to a friend about being content, at ease, & at peace with my life. This was a restful weekend for me. Got a chance to hear Floetry perform live on Friday while hanging out with a friend. Came home & rested while listening to some more music. Did a little housework Saturday, cleared out my emails, worked on my poetry, talked to a few friends/family members. Sunday I rested, got some reading done, did a little organizing of my writing/business, watched tv, updated my blog, shared some information with some folks, talked to my mom. Finally settled down to have a wonderful bubble bath with some of my favorite bath products, some smooth jazz, and my candles (of course). My life is not perfect...but it is perfect for me at this moment. And for that, I am content. Keep the faith!
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