THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Contentment

Guest Post (this is being posted a little late on Thursday night. Sorry.)

While pondering about this week’s post, I came across some well expressed thoughts on the topic of contentment. Don Piper, author of “90 Minutes in Heaven” writes the following:

“As we begin to view the positive factors in life, eventually we start to grasp the meaning of contentment. Paul (the apostle) provides a wonderful example. Some of his best writings came out of his times in prison. Contentment means standing firm and saying, "I probably wouldn’t have chosen to be here, but I am at peace where I am.” Part of contentment is to accept life as it is. We can even learn to say, “This where I need to be right now and I am contented to be here.”

As I thought about this in relation to my own life, I discovered that I am basically a contented person. Let me explain. I love my home. As with most homes, parts of it are in need of repair. We could use new cabinets in the kitchen as well as a new kitchen floor, not to mention the carpets in the living room. BUT… I am contented to live in it as it is until we can make these changes. We, like countless others, are looking forward to and planning for retirement. It will be quite a while for us but we are contented to move forward steadily until we reach that goal. Although we are contented, I don’t consider us to be complacent. We just move ahead at a pace that is balanced and good for us. Most worthy goals take time and effort to achieve, like paying off a mortgage or beating Cancer.

Those fighting Cancer many times learn to be contented with progress that is much slower that they would like. My mother was in pain for the last several years of her life, as she dealt with Cancer and its many faces. As you know, she died on January 15, 2012. I miss her so much but I am contented to know that she is in a better place now and out of pain. I see others fighting this disease bravely as she did and I learn much about contentment and patience as they do what they can when they can and learn to appreciate the progress they make. And so it goes. Life goes on.

To me it seems that contentment goes hand in hand with gratitude and patience. I have come to think of this as my PGC quotient. (Patience Gratitude Contentment)

By perfecting these qualities, we make life much more enjoyable and fulfilling. My dad once told me that wealth doesn’t always mean those who have the most. Often it refers to those who need the least. I think he is right.

Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts