Like so many words, we’ve lost the meaning of contentment. We’ve somehow come up with the notion that contentment is the opposite of success. We believe contentment is attainable only if we stop striving, and who wants to do that? We’re afraid if we stand still for a moment, the world is going to pass us by, so we make up our minds that we’ll be contented someday, perhaps when we retire.
If your an average person trying to get ahead in the world, contentment is probably the last thing your’re striving for, yet there’s a good chance that you long for it. Why? Because at its core, contentment is peace of mind. Contentment is happiness. The person who is content has little or no stress.
Yet we forge ahead like a soldier going into battle. We dive headlong into society’s raging river and get caught up in a cycle of overspending, overcommitting and over working. And all for what? Happiness. Peace of mind. Satisfaction. But we’re only kidding ourselves. Striving, consuming, and accumulating will never bring happiness. What they bring is anxiety, worry, unhappiness and—-in the long run, ineffectiveness.
Even as you read this, let your mind slow down and reflect on some qualities of true contentment. First of all, being content doesn’t mean being lazy. Discontentment affects the rich and the poor alike. What they have in common is they both want more stuff. Second, don’t equate contentment with being lowly or meek. There is tremendous power in contentment, because when you are content with what you have, you are free. You are free from pretense, free from concern over having it all now, and (in most cases) free from stress.
Third, it’s not only possible but desirable to be both content and ambitious. If your ambitions come from a desire to serve God, to help others, and to improve yourself so you will have a greater impact in your world, then the fulfillment of your ambitions will bring you much happiness and contentment.
. . . In the Small Stuff
- Don’t acquire everything you want.
- Contentment with your situation breeds satisfaction.
- If you believe for a moment that you own even a single possession, your contentment will be tied to it.
- If you can’t get sleep at night, check your pillow.
- If you can’t get sleep for two nights, check your mattress.
- If you can’t get sleep for three nights, check your conscience.
- Consider that whatever your misfortune may be your lot, someone always has it worse than you—always.
- Enjoy happiness; treasure joy.
- The best time to relax is when you’re too busy.
- Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
- Cherish tranquility.
- Since exhaustion begins and ends on the inside, that’s where genuine rest must originate.
- Learn to relax without feeling guilty.
- Live somewhere between complacency and crisis.
By Bruce (Bickel) and Stan (Jantz) ‘God is in the Small Stuff and it all matters’ (Published by Promise Press, Uhrichsville, Ohio, 1998) p.113-17
