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Post by moveablefeast on Aug 18, 2014 18:52:32 GMT
To me, being content means that you enjoy what you have and what you do. I have a good job and am in school for an even better one, a good husband, friends, hobbies, a nice comfortable little house, plenty to eat and so many people to love me.
I strive, I work, I want a bright future for my family. But when I look around at how we live I am very content.
It doesn't mean there's nothing we want or nothing we want to change, but there is certainly nothing we lack and we are not consumed by wanting more.
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oblibby
Full Member
Posts: 211
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Jul 10, 2014 10:30:12 GMT
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Post by oblibby on Aug 18, 2014 18:52:56 GMT
I would say I'm content. There are still many things in life I want to do but they don't prevent me from enjoying my life.
I have pretty simple needs which are all met. I'm lucky enough to be able to indulge my (again, pretty simple) wants and even save a bit for travel, which allows me to do some of the things I still want to do.
I have wonderful (drama-free) relationships with my family and friends. I genuinely like myself even though I'm well aware of my faults.
In my daydream world, would I like to not have to work and be able to travel on a whim - you bet I would but it's not likely to happen; it doesn't make me discontented though.
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Post by meowgal on Aug 18, 2014 18:55:43 GMT
For me, happiness is a state of mind. I've always had to decide to be happy "today"...but there are things that would make me MORE happy...
I also have periods of contentment, which for me, is a feeling of comfort, like an old pair of slippers at the end of the day or slipping into a hot bath. I feel calm when I feel content.
I've had a very tough year, but I still find myself being mostly happy and content. I'm comfortable with my life and feel blessed.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Aug 18, 2014 19:29:18 GMT
I am very content with my life. I have family and friends that live close and I'm able to do the things I want to do. Fortunately I have simple wants and needs Are there some things I wish I could change? You bet but I'm happy even if they don't change. I do what I can to help change things and then let it go. That gives me contentment. I'm a happy person by nature and I've learned in the last 61 years what makes me happy so those are the things I choose to do with my time. That gives me contentment. Hell, who wouldn't wanna be me?
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Post by putabuttononit on Aug 18, 2014 19:38:58 GMT
I would describe myself as both content and happy. There are things in my life outside of my control that make me sad if I dwell on them, but I'm not the type to let it totally pull me down.
My own immediate family is happy and healthy, my marriage is great, even when he's a challenge lol, and I can't imagine not having horses in my life because they make me happy every day. I consider myself blessed.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 18, 2014 19:45:26 GMT
I remember the widow of my favorite cousin telling me about 5 years after he passed away that she still missed him like crazy but that she was content. He was one of a kind ~ I had a huge crush on him growing up and he was one of those people who other people were drawn to. They had been married many years so I know she missed him dearly. So I understand what the concept of content is.
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Post by heartcat on Aug 18, 2014 20:04:05 GMT
Who I am as a person is basically someone who is in a 'state of peaceful happiness'. I have always been this way.
There are times when I get worried or frustrated or sad about something, but even then it never lasts long, never consumes me or crowds out the basic feeling that life is good. I am a laid back, easy to please person who takes great pleasure from little things. I don't have a lot of 'wants'. I am an optimist.
I have always felt that at the heart of it, my life is a good one. I have always been happy to be 'who' I am. I have always felt lucky to have the people who are in my life. I don't need a lot of money or material things. Which is not to say that I don't 'have' things or like to acquire things. But not having them doesn't diminish my happiness.
I do not think of 'content' as 'settling', which is how I think it could be perceived. I never feel that I am just settling for things. I feel genuinely fortunate and enjoy my life. I don't wish my life was different. If my life changed I would not be a 'happier' person. If we are using content as the meaning quoted above, then yes, I am content.
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
Jun 26, 2014 18:26:03 GMT
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Aug 18, 2014 20:34:48 GMT
Overall, yes, I'd say I'm content. My life is a long way from perfect but in the last couple years I've been trying to focus on the moment and what makes me happy in the moment. Always wanting more (and there are things I want) isn't very productive for me and just creates too much anxiety . Happy marriage, happy home and a job I enjoy go a long way in keeping me content.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 18:21:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 20:42:20 GMT
For the first time in a few years, due to my sons emotional breakdowns and challenges which seem to finally be under control, I am feeling pretty content with where we are in life.
We moved in July to a new house in a new state. I love this house. It's big enough to accommodate my immediate family (Dh, me and 2 sons) as well as my younger sister and her child. She's a divorced single parent and she needed some extra support that I couldn't give her from three states away.
My mother in law retired from her job as a para to help with DS full time. I finally feel like I can breathe again because she is here to support us.
We think we have found a new church that we like and Dh is finding the transition to flying out of Dfw to be not as big a deal as we thought it might be. He is free to take off a day or two when he wants to just be home for a bit.
] Life is really really good. We are in our forties and this is what I had always hoped it would be like...despite the fact that our oldest son will not be leaving home to make his own life. I'm finally ok w that...and it was a long journey getting here.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 18:21:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 20:51:37 GMT
To me content is better than happy. Content is a deep, stable feeling of being at peace with my life.
Happy is a much more transient feeling. It is the kick up your heels and dance in the street singing type of feeling.
But if people ask me if I'm happy I say yes even though content is the better term for what I feel.
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