I believe that I am a contented person. I have few wants and they have been provided in adequate measure for me and I am ever grateful for that. That I am at my twilight years helps where nature makes it easier to be content with one’s lot.
I was not always like that and like most humanity I went through various stages of life when “more” was the driving mantra till nature decided that I had had enough and put the brakes on. I only wish that it had in a different way but, that is for another blog post.
If someone were to ask me to describe my lifestyle, I would take two styles. The easier to understand one is the Western metaphor of “going through life like a homeless alley cat, living from day to day, taking it’s pleasures where it can and dying unnoticed.” Except that, I do have a home and the pleasures I want are very simple and door delivered, like my daily dose of newspapers and crossword puzzles plus enough books to read. I also have serious doubts that I will die unnoticed, not that it would matter when I do.
The other style would be my following the eight fold path of yoga that we in India call Ashtanga Yoga.
In the second limb of Niyama, the second “do” is “Santosha – contentment, acceptance of others, acceptance of one’s circumstances as they are in order to get past or change them, optimism for self.”
At least one reader is very likely to comment that I am aiming for sainthood and I would simply smile and respond with “no, just following a proven system that guarantees that one can live a life of joy. I am sure that the same person would grant me that I am by and large joyful! I am no saint and I do slip but it does not take a great deal of effort to revert to my idea of normal which is being peaceful and joyful.
Believe me, it is easy to live a life of contentment. Any one can.
I have suggested this topic for this week’s Friday 2 on 1 blog posts where Shackman and I write on the same topic. Please do go over to Shackman’s blog to read what his take on the topic is. Thank you.
I’m not an alcoholic. never liked the taste. but the prayer that they use in AA is one of my favorites. ‘help me to accept the things I cannot change… change the things that I can… and give me the wisdom to know the difference.’
that + gratitude = contentment for me.
I want very little in life. that’s not a problem and never has been. BUT…
my hardest in feeling contentment is the weather here in our state. it seems always at an extreme. and I tend to fight it inside me. which is silly really.
contentment is easier when everything is just right in our world. like Goldilocks! and I don’t want to be like her. I’m getting better little by little.
Zeke comes to my mind as my best teacher. my beloved little dog. he absolutely loved to take walks. and we enjoyed many many many walks. 😀
then when he got cancer and could no longer walk… he was content to simply sit in the grass and enjoy the sun and the wonderful smells in his world.
he never gritched or complained. he just adjusted. I still aspire to that same contentment. I think you are already there. it’s called the Zekey Attitude. xo
That serenity prayer is part of my daily prayer routine as well and in my opinion, very effective too. It is my contention that as we grow older, we inevitably become contented as we have the experience to know that it is good to be so. I like the Zekey attitude!!
you are without doubt the most contented person I know. Interestingly enough, as alike as we are inso many ways we are opposites in contentment – I am not really content at all. I am hoping my upcoming trip resolvespart of that,
I have no doubts whatsoever that your forthcoming adventure will bring about some resolutions in your life and you will become content after that.
I’m mostly content…except when my health issues put the brakes on doing something. Like this last month; when this is the 2nd w/end event I can’t get too…because of blasted winter germs! I probably can go, tomorrow to some of them, that’s if the weather guru has that right – but I know that the 3 bus trip/walk isn’t going to happen…
Catherine de Seton recently posted..folded folio – basically completed
and then the weather got better, and even me betterer – so I swapped the events around and went bus hopping across town to the event place; put a bit of a dent on my eftpos card and came home with some interesting tools to play with….
Catherine de Seton recently posted..Creative Crafting Expo
It is difficult to be content when physical discomfort distracts our attention. With chronic problems however one can reach a stage of acceptance and getting on with life to the best of one’s ability. Temporary why-me-itis phases are quite normal but, should not take away the normal content self.
I don’t often have moments of sheer happiness or joy, but contentment comes to me very easily as like you I tend to accept my circumstances and my lot in life without wanting all sorts of extras. I’m bemused by those people who are never satisfied with anything and always feel cheated and short-changed.
Yes, I can see that from your posts and I admire you for it.
I am content most of the time. I live in a state of gratitude that I vanquished my demons and the abusive voices of childhood which still surface at times.
I attempt to help others of all ages as they vanquish theirs. I do something about poverty. I accept my physical limitations.
I am no saint. I still react badly to hateful behaviour from male family members.
I recognise their clinging to old wounds and hurts.
I have never lost my sense of wonder. And sometimes my internal joy overflows.
XO
WWW
You are a success story whichever way you look at it WWW and as you probably know, I admire you for the way you have handled your life and the things that you do now.
“Santosha” … Sounds about right to me, mate.
Big John recently posted..and … Not a punkah wallah in sight !
I am not at all surprised at your reaction John. Thank you.