Dictionary: Contentment is the experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation.
I was listening to this song by The 77’s the other day and thought about contentment. This is probably the hardest thing for me, to be content. I feel it is okay to "not be satisfied" but we should be content. I often feel the tension of what I want, or where I want to be vs where I am, which isn't where I want to be ... at least how I had it in my mind. There is that famous quote "Enjoy the journey on your way to your destination" that rings in my head often, as it should.
We get it wrong is in a few areas I believe; 1) Our definition of "success". 2) Knowing what really is important. 3) Realizing that the journey is going to suck even when you arrive to your destination if you don't decide to enjoy it. 4) Comparing ourselves with others.
1) Success - What is success in your mind? What does it look like, feel like, etc? This is what I really have to work on; deciding what is "success" for me. I realize I am very successful. For me, loving God, having a wonderful wife and son, our health, food to eat, roof over my head, a career I love, and friends to share it all with ... that was and is success for me. All the other stuff are side issues.
2) Important - Once I defined this for me ... made all the difference.
3) Journey - what is the point if I am only going to be happy, or content "when I get there" wherever that is? The journey is the longest portion of life. Destination is what we spend our life heading toward. So to enjoy the journey is to enjoy all of life.
4) Comparing - Here’s the deal, I am not on "their" journey. I am on "my" journey! It doesn't matter about them, what they got, what they did, or where they are - it's about being where I need to be, doing what want I should be doing. Yeah, I compare way too much! :(
So...enjoy your journey and those around you will appreciate that so much more!
..for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11
I was listening to this song by The 77’s the other day and thought about contentment. This is probably the hardest thing for me, to be content. I feel it is okay to "not be satisfied" but we should be content. I often feel the tension of what I want, or where I want to be vs where I am, which isn't where I want to be ... at least how I had it in my mind. There is that famous quote "Enjoy the journey on your way to your destination" that rings in my head often, as it should.
We get it wrong is in a few areas I believe; 1) Our definition of "success". 2) Knowing what really is important. 3) Realizing that the journey is going to suck even when you arrive to your destination if you don't decide to enjoy it. 4) Comparing ourselves with others.
1) Success - What is success in your mind? What does it look like, feel like, etc? This is what I really have to work on; deciding what is "success" for me. I realize I am very successful. For me, loving God, having a wonderful wife and son, our health, food to eat, roof over my head, a career I love, and friends to share it all with ... that was and is success for me. All the other stuff are side issues.
2) Important - Once I defined this for me ... made all the difference.
3) Journey - what is the point if I am only going to be happy, or content "when I get there" wherever that is? The journey is the longest portion of life. Destination is what we spend our life heading toward. So to enjoy the journey is to enjoy all of life.
4) Comparing - Here’s the deal, I am not on "their" journey. I am on "my" journey! It doesn't matter about them, what they got, what they did, or where they are - it's about being where I need to be, doing what want I should be doing. Yeah, I compare way too much! :(
So...enjoy your journey and those around you will appreciate that so much more!
..for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11
1 comment:
I compare WAY too much. I also don't enjoy the journey near enough.
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