Contentment And You

Living a contented life can be hard because there is a tendency for us to compare our lives with others. Once you buy a car or anything of worth, you are likely to see something else that’s equally good and most likely better, and you wonder….

When looking for houses to rent or buy, you see so many and the moment you make a decision, you start doubting yourself wondering if you made the right call.

Your brain plays tricks on you and soon enough you want another viewing, opinion or you get what you wanted but remain dissatisfied.

In the past few weeks, I have made  many design decisions on a project.

I found myself in this place where hours and literally days were spent weighing ideas against each other, looking at previous customer reviews and rethinking my decisions to paralysis point.

At some point in any decision making process and in life generally, we have to arrest the thoughts that could lead us down the path to discontentment. You have to trust your decision and stand by it.

Accept that there will be better alternatives but you made the right decision based on the information and options available to you at the time. The only other alternative is to remain in limbo for the rest of your life.

This applies to every part of our lives – choosing a career or a life partner, buying a house or car, deciding on a restaurant, seeing an  alternative on the menu the moment you placed your order or worse, having food envy when everyone’s meals arrive on the table.

I am sure we’ve all been there. If we let go of contentment with our choice, we lose the joy or satisfaction that’s tied to that choice. It becomes a lose-lose situation.

Your ticket out of discontentment is to let go and make a mental note to try that alternative next time, then you can enjoy your current choice.

Discontentment robs us of peace and joy, it causes us to doubt ourselves and the goodness of God. We get so focused on the immediate disappointment that we lose sight of future possibilities.

If you keep wishing for what others have in terms of gifts and talents, you forget yours and the world loses out. You lose out and the Giver of life and all gifts loses out on His investment.

Your gifts are not accidental, they are intentionally designed for you so don’t despise them. Also don’t despise the stage you are in life even if it’s a small beginning. You will grow if you keep working.

I leave you with the quote below by St Therese:

She said, “May today be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and in others.

May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your  soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”

In conclusion, trust your Maker, trust your journey, trust yourself. Faithfully use the gifts you currently have and see yourself bloom in the process.

There’s a need for your gifts and there’s room for you, so don’t try to be someone else and don’t neglect your gifts while coveting someone else’s. Go live the amazing life you were created and destined to live.

Choose to be content in your decision making and especially in life.

Thank you for reading my post. Don’t forget to share with others. See you next week.