ESSENCE OF CONTENTMENT

My dad always told me one thing right from childhood which got implanted in my mind and I would never overlook for rest of my life: “Simple living, high thinking and simplicity is the ultimate erudition”. I do have a query which triggers my thoughts everyday: Are we truly contented with what we are and is there a conclusion argument for contentment at any point in life?

Let me walk you through the contentment I get in a day. Every single morning, I put forward my profuse thanks and earnest gratitude to god for providing me with an opportunity to endure to do something prodigious for what I was predestined for. Sometimes when I wake up early, I feel energetic and contented that my day would be filled with miracles and breakthroughs but if I end up rousing up late, I feel indolent/idle throughout the day. It starts with accomplishing simple tasks like you were able to fix a bug in the design, answering your coworker politely, cooking your favorite food, shopping at your favorite mall, getting a T-shirt of desired brand, spending time with dearest ones ,talking to your parents, dancing, writing an article every month, motivating/helping someone and the list goes on! So I started retrospection about what exactly contentment means and thought it would be a boundless idea to leverage the knowledge on what I exactly felt so far because I’d learn that planning and vigilance mattered a lot at certain times to make my day productive and feel contented.

As we have been taught human wants are insatiable. ‘Contentment is not about getting what you want but the ability to enjoy what you have got.’ Be content with the person you are and seek ways to develop yourself. Contentment means to be happy with what you have, who you are, and where you are. It is respecting the reality of the present. It is appreciating what you do have and where you are in life.

In my life I’d heard plenty of empty words coming from important people but instead I was determined to be someone who told the truth, using my voice to lift up the voiceless when I could, and not to disappear on people in need which made me comprehensive.

What happens if theirs ABSENCE OF CONTENTMENT?

Many people today think life is a race where you must be the best at everything. We might want a fancier car, a bigger house, a better-earning job, or more money. The moment we achieve one thing, the race for the next thing starts. Rarely do many individuals spare a minute to just sit back, relax, and be grateful for all they have achieved. Instead of looking back at the distance they have covered, they stretch themselves to cover the distance that remains. And in some cases, this is when ambition becomes greed. Even after you have ticked off all the achievements from your list, you still don’t feel at ease. You still might have an uneasy feeling that something is still missing. Do you know what that missing thing is? It’s contentment.

Peace of mind: Contentment brings peace of mind and positivity that can facilitate growth and self-improvement. This does not mean you can’t have dreams and aspirations. You can accept the present and still wish for a better future. Contentment only means to be at peace with the present, not complacent.

Happiness: Contentment promotes happiness. When you are content with the present, you are letting go of sometimes painful cravings for what you can’t have. As a result, acceptance settles in. Therefore, when you accept your situation, you are allowing yourself to be happy. Being grateful for everything you do have instead of spending most of your time thinking about what you can’t have could make life a lot more beautiful.

Stronger relationships: When you allow yourself to be content, you are also telling yourself to accept others as they are. Accepting others, including their flaws, and being content with the present may fuel feelings of happiness and prosperity in relationships, making them stronger. It can enrich relationships with trust and appreciation as well as promote healing and growth.

Simplicity: When you can distinguish your wants from your needs, you stop overburdening yourself. Contentment promotes simplicity. It teaches you to be happy with what you have, whether little or abundant. Because at the end of the day, inner peace fueled by contentment may matter more than the car you drive or even the house you live in. Constantly practice gratitude know nothing is permanent, understand that material things do not often promote long-term happiness, and realize that life is not a race or competition: it is about self-sustenance.

Bhagwad gita chapter 12(verse 14):

santushtaha satatam yogee yataatmaa dridhanishchayaha |
mayyarpitamanobuddhiryo madbhaktaha sa me priyaha || 14 ||
 
The yogi who is always contented, self-controlled, with firm conviction, who has dedicated his mind and intellect to me, he who is such a devotee of mine is dear to me.