Can You Learn to be Content?

Reading time:  Approximately 4 minutes

Can you learn to be content?

Do you ever look around at others and feel as though your perfect life is somehow just out of your grasp? 

You’re sure if you have this certain thing, or go this certain place or your spouse/parent/kid would just act this certain way, then all would be well in your world.

Have you really taken the time to notice what really occurs when you get that certain thing, go that certain place or that certain person proceeds to change their behavior?

Are you happy?

Are you fulfilled?

Is all finally right in your world?

Or….

Does the cycle start again?

The problem is not the thing you want, the place you want to go or the bothersome person that is in your life.

At least part of the problem is probably that you have not learned to be content and enjoy what you already have.

Can being content be a learned trait?

I happen to believe that if you are intentional in the pursuit, then learning to be content is within your grasp.

Where to start?

You can start learning to be content with some little things, of course 😉

Begin learning to be content with a thankful list

Grab a notebook or just a plain old piece of paper.  Don’t make this complicated.  Start writing.  Write down everything for which you have to be thankful.

Don’t try and do this all in one setting.  Leave your list laying out.  Add to it as you think of things.

Nothing is too small.  I am not a roughing it kind of lady (that’s probably an understatement).  Even though I take it for granted, I am hugely thankful for electricity and running water. 

Keep this list somewhere you can refer to it on an ongoing basis.

This is your thankful list.  It is a reminder of everything for which you have to be thankful.

Your thankful list is the foundation of learning to be content.

Become intentional in finding something for which to be thankful every single day.

This is something that isn’t on your thankful list.  This is something for which you must intentionally look each day.  

Maybe you found a parking place in a crowded parking lot.  Take note of it.  Enjoy it.  Look for the small things.

As you start focusing more on the positive things in your life and less on the negative, you will begin to have an attitude adjustment.  You will find yourself becoming happier and more content. 

Take a reality check on social media

If you aren’t careful, social media can drain your contentment bank. 

Social media makes it appear as though everyone else has these magical, wonderful, lives.

Reality check:  Every single person, every single family has issues, things with which they are dealing.  Chances are, that is not what most people post about. 

Just like you, they post the highlights, the things that make them appear to be happy and content.  When your contentment meter starts to dip due to social media, take a reality check.

If necessary, if you find yourself too enmeshed in the lives of your friends, take a social media break.

Now about those people

Accept them.

One of the best gifts that you can give yourself is to realize, you CAN NOT change another person.  You ARE NOT responsible for another person’s actions.  The only person over which we have any level of control at all, is ourselves. 

Accept that truth. 

Work at accepting the people in your life as they are. 

If there is a problem, focus more on changing your reactions and less on changing the other person.  This concept is truly a game changer.  

I realize that is so much easier said than done.  It may warrant an entire future post.  But it is a solid truth.  

These are just a few little ideas to get you started on the path to contentment.  I’m sure there are many, many more. 

If I could sum up learning to be content in one sentence, it would be this:

Focus more on what you have and less on what you don’t have.

You have more than you think!

Contentment is within your grasp.  You may have to tend it to help it grow.  But, for sure, you can learn to be content.

Disclaimer:  I am not a health professional.  If you suffer from chronic discontent or unhappiness, it could be depression.  Please seek professional medical help. 

 

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