You’re intent on finding happiness, but what about contentment? You hear about appreciating the small stuff and feeling happy.
Today GenuLines asks you to turn your aim from happiness to contentment.
Appreciate the Small Things And Find Contentment
Most emotions are transitional, meaning you’re never in one state for long periods. People labeled upbeat actually do have moments of sadness or depression. And even depressed people may not feel depressed all the time.
Think about a major event such as a war. When two countries are fighting, both sides lose lives.
It’s bloody, and it can last for several years. But, when the war is over, the countries are euphoric.
There will be no more bloodshed because of the war, and people can return to their lives.
But nothing that has changed in the world except that the war has ended. In other words, the sun still sets each day.
People still have to manage their lives.
The euphoria from the war ending doesn’t last long. Months later, the war is still over, but the euphoria has died down.
The same is true in a smaller way when you’re ill. For instance, suppose you have a stomach bug that leaves you uncomfortable and in pain.
When the bug passes you feel wonderful.
Yet, you don’t feel any better than you did when you weren’t experiencing the bug. It’s relative to the bad feelings.
That’s how emotional states work. They go from one to the other on a constant basis.
Appreciating the small things in life may lead to happiness. But, it’s likely you’re content more than you are happy.
Contentment can feel like a neutral state, leaning on the side of happy. There isn’t anything wrong when you’re content.
But, there’s also nothing ratcheting up your happiness.
Consider contentment before happiness
Striving for happiness can be stressful. The antidote? Gratitude. You’ll feel content without having to always push toward happiness.
Time spent in contentment means you’re doing something right.
Think about the people you love. And think about all you have, such as your health and a good job.
Imagine life without them and you’ll really appreciate contentment. That thought may even make you happy, if only for a short time.
JohnK 7-16-2019
Overheard: “A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment” ~Proverb
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