Finding Contentment

Contentment isn’t a one minute miracle.  Getting there takes time; but reaching a contented state is a destination stop.  You CAN arrive and it doesn’t have to be an ongoing process.  Perhaps there are levels of contentedness that you can climb and further achieve; but finally getting to a place where you can look around with satisfaction at your achievements, goals and milestones that you reached and sigh - yes, contentedly, as you realize “I’m right where I’m supposed to be and everything around and in me and around me is good.” 

The “in” as inner peace, the “around” is what you choose to surround yourself with in order to maintain that peace. 

I cannot be content if even one area of my life is in disarray - that’s just who I am.  My home must be in order - not perfect - but orderly with bills paid and pantry stocked. Work must be in order as well with me putting my best foot forward on every project, every day.  This year, as I did that, I could spend a week at the beach without that gnawing feeling that something was left undone.  I worked hard to get my house and my work projects in order and have a schedule to maintain them instead of always rushing to catch up.

I had to let go of an overwhelming amount of volunteer and extra-curricular activities, but once I did, I recognized that what I was feeling was peace.  I had time on my hands to just sit in the garden or go on walks.  I wasn’t rushing at a frenetic pace to get to a forgotten appointment. I wasn’t apologizing for missing appointments all together. 

I’ve realized that I don’t always have to be on a quest for peace, for balance, for sanity. Sometimes I have it.  I just have to recognize that I have achieved the feeling I have been searching for and be okay with it.  Then I realize “I am content.”