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Contentment

Posted on April 6, 2012 by marialachica.
Categories: Blogging.

The secret of happiness is contentment.

I’ve been thinking about this all morning. It’s one of those existential topics that we all can’t help but think about from time to time. Am I happy? But, what is happiness?

Happiness is relative. Every person has their own definition of what happiness is, what makes them happy, and how to achieve that state of mind. There’s no point in making statements like “money gives you happiness”, or “you are only happy when you compare yourself to the misery of others”, because, as I say, happiness is relative.

It is true, though, that wealth makes you happy. But not material wealth, but the one of the spirit.

I have come to the conclusion this morning that the secret to happiness is contentment.

Firstly you have to have the right state of mind. You need to see the glass half full. Then, after you’re realised that happiness is not going to happen overnight, you need to evaluate your life: Are you doing what you want to do with your life? Do you find time for yourself? Are you finding pleasure and satisfaction in the little things?

If the answer to those questions is YES, then you are content with your life. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be happy. We must remember, though, that happiness is an emotion. And emotions can come and go, like sadness or excitement. Being contented, on the other hand, is a more stable and long-term feeling.

So, based on these principles I have to say that I am happy. I have been happy for a long time. Of course we all have our ups and downs, have better days and worse days, and there are days when you simply don’t want to get out of bed. But, it’s got nothing to do with money, with success or with “the neighbour’s grass is greener than mine”.

I read somewhere that being happy is being in love with living, and I couldn’t agree more.

I love being alive. I love who I am and who I’ve become. I love my husband. I love my cat. I love being moved by little things like the clouds, the sun, the stars, the flowers, nature in general. I just love enjoying life my own way. My attitude towards enjoying life is definitely different to other people’s. I don’t need to climb mountains or adrenaline rushes. I live life my own subtle way and that’s the path I’ve chosen, hence me being happy with it.

3 comments.

Comment on April 17th, 2012.

I feel like I should agree with the statement that the secret to happiness is contentment. Yet I have felt contented in the past and never once did ‘happy’ come across when I thought about my feelings. Ups and downs, sure. Mostly dull periods with some bright transient sparkles here and there, enjoying what I did for a living, liking (most of) the people I had around… That’s contentment. But happiness? I guess it all depends on where you stand on the definition. I have never been happy, I am not happy and I am sure to say I will never be happy. It’s just not in my disposition.

Comment on April 18th, 2012.

Interesting. I suppose at that point I would ask myself what is ever going to make me happy and try to achieve it. I tend to see the glass half full most of the time, so even the tiny little things lift my spirit. Maybe I am a conformist and manage to always see the bright side of things. Hence my contentment with life. Of course I will always have ups and downs, like everyone else. But, looking back, I’m not sure I can say I have ever been un-happy.

Comment on April 18th, 2012.

In my case, there is nothing I can do,to achieve happiness. Contentment is my goal.

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