Can you think of a time in your life when you were really content? How did you feel? Where were you and what were you doing? Were you more self-confident? Did another person in your life help you feel content? Take a second to reflect on that time and be grateful for it.
Contentment is not having what you want but wanting what you have. It’s choosing to accept and be okay with your life regardless of the flaws and imperfections. Here are some steps to help you along in your journey of contentment:
Step 1: Stop comparing yourself to others. ‘Comparison is the thief of joy and death of contentment’ they say. When you compare yourself to others, you will find things you don’t like about yourself or things you wish you had. It makes you discontent in the majority of cases. Being grateful and mindful of your strengths helps to curb the risk of comparison, which leads to the second step…
Step 2: Practice thankfulness. Gratefulness is a state of mind. When we are grateful, we cannot be envious or jealous. Thankfulness breeds contentment and contentment, joy. We all want joy, right?! There’s a reason we see so many cute little pictures or journals in stores these days that say, “Start each day with a grateful heart!” Because when you do, your day is really so much better.
Step 3: Watch for negativity. Be aware of when your mind starts to drift and become negative. Catch yourself before you entertain those thoughts. When you start to compare yourself to others or think negatively, concentrate on what you’re grateful for or what is good in your life. Make this be your automatic reaction so that those thoughts don’t bring you down.
Step 4: Create a habit of giving. Whether it be giving money to those less fortunate or giving your time to serve others, giving helps create contentment. Although the motivation should not be selfish, giving to others makes us feel good--like we are playing a part in something bigger. It’s hard to not feel content when we see others benefitting from our generosity.
Hopefully this helps you develop a spirit of contentment in your life. Take each step and spend a week or two at a time applying it until you feel good about it and then add in the next step. It’s a journey that takes time and attention but one that is so valuable and will help you grow significantly. As always, please let me know if you have any questions!
