Learning To Be Content
Contentment does not mean being complacent or
settling for mediocrity and failing to achieve your God-given talent and potential.
Not at all! Contentment I believe is learning to find the balance between where
you are and where you’d like to be. When we’re busy counting our blessings, we
don’t have the time nor the inclination to focus on what we perceive we lack.
I’m reminded of a story between a pastor and
one of his parishioners. Mary had become discontented with the shenanigans that
she believed were taking place within the church, so she requested a meeting
with her pastor to have it out. Patiently she waited and on arrival, she offloaded all that she was bearing on her soul. Patiently her pastor listened and
then requested one favour of her before she called it a day.
“I would like for you to carry this full glass
of water around the sanctuary without spilling a drop.” Do you think you could
do this for me he asked? “Of course, I can” Mary replied and off she went. On
her return, the pastor asked her what she noticed on her journey, “Nothing” she
replied, “My focus was on not spilling any water from the glass.” Moral of the
story when we focus on the blessings that we have, there is no time to be
discontented with what we perceive we lack.
Yes, you probably deserved a promotion, too. But for now,
until you get one, be thankful that you have a job.
Yes, she’s got a wonderful husband. Till it’s your
turn, be
thankful that you have good health and in time you too will
have the man of your dreams.
Yes, your neighbour has just bought a new car. Till it’s your
turn, be thankful that yours is able to get you from A to B.
It has been said, “When you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change.” It would appear that most of us find it easier to
focus on what we lack as opposed to celebrating all that we have. As you go
through this week make some time to celebrate all the blessings you have in
your life however large or small. Whether that be a roof over your head, shoes
on your feet, clothes on your back, food on your table or just money in your
pocket. Be content, be grateful but most of all be the best version of you.
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