Hi everyone and welcome to my new readers ~ I know Candee Rose, Robin, and Priti are recent additions and some of you who read the blog but don't show up in my "followers" - welcome to all of you!
So how did you do last week pondering what is vital to your soul? I took a step toward taking care of that today when I visited a local nursery that helps support disabled folks in our community ~ and took home several deep pink plants to brighten my patio - and my life! Visually beautiful things seem to be vital to my soul. When I look at a passion flower or a brilliant red cardinal at the bird feeder, I feel at peace. I hope that over the past few days, you too have re-discovered something that does that for you.
Today's word is contentment. When I read about something THREE times in one day, it's a pretty sure indication that I should write about it in the blog :-)
The word "content" or "contentment" really did appear in 3 things I read today, but the phrase that really caught my eye was in Dr. Charles Stanley's monthly publication called In Touch. He made the comment that "comparison steals contentment." WOW! Three little words with a whole lot of meaning...
Maybe you've been there...
...someone else lost the weight and you seemed to have found it ~
=goodbye contentment
...a friend just spent your monthly food budget on a gorgeous new outfit ~
=goodbye contentment
...another friend got a beautiful new car ~ and yours runs on duct tape ~
=goodbye contentment
...the neighbor just remodeled and added that stunning sunroom you've always wanted ~
=goodbye contentment
...her husband just did the sweetest thing for her ~
=goodbye contentment
...he just got to play golf for the 5th time this week ~
=goodbye contentment
...their bank account makes yours look like the change you get at McDonald's ~
=goodbye contentment
...they're on schedule to retire early and you'll be working until you're 112 ~
=goodbye contentment
...she just got a promotion...and you just got laid off ~
=goodbye contentment
We could all add dozens, if not hundreds, of other comparisons to this list and not a one of them will make us feel good about ourselves. Comparison does indeed steal contentment.
So let's look at life from a different lens...
Have a headache today? Find contentment in your general good health...
Wishing you had more money in the bank? Find contentment that you HAVE money in the bank...
Your spouse/significant other takes you for granted? Find contentment in the fact that you are with someone who cares for you, even when they don't show it the way you'd like...
You'd like to have a new outfit that WASN'T on the 80% off rack? Walk into your closet and find contentment in what is hanging there - I'll bet there's plenty...
Can't lose that 10 pounds you've been fighting? Find contentment in being able to enjoy every bite of a delicious meal...
You drool when you see the beautiful new sunroom...or kitchen...or carpet...or anything...she just got? Find contentment in the beautiful blue sky, flowering blossoms, and deep green grass that we all get to share - for free!
You get the idea - STOP comparing anything in your life to someone else's life. It's just too easy to get caught up in it and let our contentment drain away.
Challenge yourself this week to FIND contentment in your circumstances ~ and let me know what you found!
Blessings,
Linda
I enjoyed reading your Contentment blog. I have to fight complaining almost everyday and remember what I have in my life that makes me happy and joyous. Thanks for putting your thoughts down!
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