I Won't Complain

I don't consider myself as one who hoards and always wants more and more. Generally I am content with my life. Most of the time I recognize that I have a lot going for myself, and for that I'm grateful. But there are times, as with everyone, that I feel as though what I have isn't enough, that what I want surpasses, overshadows everything I have. In the Bible, Paul encourages us through his own experience to be content in not some, but all situations. That's a lovely idea to foster in theory, but how many of us actually practice continual contentment? I know I don't. Hence this post. Despite my recognizing that God has especially smiled on me (I feel really blessed overall), I still find myself occasionally forgetting all the unmerited blessings God has bestowed upon me to simply focus on the ones I have yet to receive, and that's if they're even ordained for me. So, in an effort to find the "keys to contentment" I came across a website that told me just what I needed to do in order to gain the contentment I was in such great need of.

The one key was this simple: To give thanks


After reading this, I found that I had already utilized this exercise earlier this evening. I was feeling pretty bummed about a certain situation (and I believe I had good reason to). I felt myself slipping into a slump of self-pity when the sudden urge to bless God for who He is and what He's done came over me. I opened my mouth and verbalized my thanks to God for everything He's doing in my life, for everything He's been to me. I kept talking until my focus was no longer on what I believed I lacked, but on my life's surplus. When I opened my eyes and put my hands down, I really felt as though I had regained my balance.

The funny thing about being a Libra is that I oftentimes find myself on each side of the scale. I'm as much as an idealist as I am a realist. With that said, I know that my impromptu praise session won't sustain me for tomorrow's possible dissatisfaction. That brings me to cornerstone of gratitude: It has to be practiced daily.

Contentment won't wake up beside me in the morning. I will have to choose it every day I wake up by thanking God that I did. I don't suspect that the road to contentment will be an easy one, but a difficult road to something greater, better is far more appealing than the sinking feeling of despair and hopelessness due to chronic dissatisfaction. Wouldn't you agree?

To be content, we need to slip out of the well-worn rut of wanting more, more, more and just experience that, right now, in this moment, we have enough. - Donna Cunningham, MSW