The Essence of Contentment: How Acceptance Promotes Happiness
Being content with what you have is a major key to happiness. We’ve all heard that saying, but have you ever taken a step back to fully understand what contentment is?
What Is Contentment?
Contentment is being happy with the things that you have, where you are in life, and who you are. It is about respecting and being satisfied with your present. When you are content it means that you accept your present, and trust that whatever comes next in your life will be for the best.
When You Are Not Content
In this modern society, many people think of life as a race. With the presence of social media and these ideas of what a “perfect” life is supposed to be and look like, many people find themselves unsatisfied with themselves and their lives. Even if they achieve all of the things that they desire, whether it be a fancier car or a bigger house, the race for the next thing begins into a never-ending loop of dissatisfaction. It is rare that people take a step back and practice gratitude for all the wonderful things in their lives. Instead of thinking about the journey, they are focused on their next destination, and what could be masked as ambition, is actually greed. There is a fine line between wanting the best for your life, and being ungrateful for what you do have. There is this idea that once you get or accomplish all the things that you believe would make your life complete, that you will be happy. People fail to realize that happiness is a choice, not an end-goal, and viewing it as such will limit your abilities to truly enjoy your life and the people in it. Even if you get all the money in the world, you will still feel as though there is something that you are missing. The missing part of your life is contentment.
How To Practice Being Content
A great way to practice being content is to have a gratitude journal. Fill it out each morning and night with the things that you are grateful for. As time goes on and you start to read it, notice what you are writing down and you’ll begin to realize how perfect your life is for you. It is your own special experience that no one will ever have. You are living your own story, and you can make of it as you wish. You are the master of your own universe, and there are great power and satisfaction in that. If you are struggling with feelings of contentment, Somatic Psyche is committed to helping realize the good in your life. Daphne Georghiou works with you in a safe environment to help you practice gratitude in your life.