Monday, January 12, 2009

Being Content

My mother used to quote this line to us taken from the spirit of Philippians 4:11: "Wherever you find yourself therein be content." But the overarching message was to make better choices and change perspectives in order to be so; the direct message that came through loud and clear was that some things you cannot change right away but work very hard in smart consistent ways to be a better person every day. (Find contentment.) She did this through love and kindness (and she was tough too; believe me!), teaching us balance by how she lived her life everyday in the choices she made and the words she spoke. Words mattered a lot to her. She was self-confident and humble.

Being content means not desiring that which is another's; it's finding your own balance. We need not desire the qualities or things of another. (As the Apostle Paul said, "All things are yours.") I, for one, never have such a desire, whether physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual. I am forever pleased with me and work daily to be the best person I can be. Appreciating, honoring, and respecting others is very important through acknowledgment and deference. But I never see myself as desirous of another. The very thought of desiring what is another's may indeed spur greed, conflict, depression, the lack of self-worth, obesity, anorexia, addition and compulsion.

(The thoughts here came from a great discussion on Tom Peters' blog. Check out the post and comments. You may find them interesting.)

2 comments:

James Oh said...

Through contentment, bring happiness to the individual otherwise he will be entering into the unhealthy "compare and compete" race.

Peace and grace to you.

Judith Ellis said...

That's a good point, James. May peace and grace also be with you.