Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions.
Contentment is being happy with what I have, rather than focusing on what I have not. Its not the absence of pleasure; on the contrary, contentment fosters happiness by recognizing joy in what I already have, rather than overlooking that joy in the anxious pursuit of what I do not have. Contentment is discovering the joy of life rather than being forever unsatisfied and longing for what may never be.
The Great Depression brought sad years to America. But in the midst of poverty and loss, many people discovered true wealth that they had possessed all along but never appreciated. Sometimes we never realize how much we really have until we lose everything we thought we needed. It is the unfortunate man or woman who must experience such loss before learning this lesson. The character quality of contentment is refocusing on ones true wealth before such collapse is necessary. Family, friends, faith, time, and fellowship are treasures that financial ruin cannot take away. Contentment is enjoying these true riches today rather than sacrificing them to pursue empty riches that do not really satisfy.
In times of material prosperity, we often confuse excitement with happiness. Excitement is an emotional high and one of the spices that make life pleasant, but it is not a substitute for true happiness. Happiness is emotional satisfaction, like that experienced when a family relationship is on good terms or when a job is on track. There may be nothing exciting about talking with the family around the table for half an hour after dinner, but it builds happiness.
Excitement-highs do not bring true or lasting happiness. On the contrary, excitement can leave a person feeling sadly empty. It is a shame when a person lives from excitement-high to excitement-high, seeking happiness, yet finds that happiness only when material ruin takes everything else away. Contentment is not about sacrificing the joy in life. It is about discovering where true joy is actually found. Contentment is refocusing emotional commitment on nurturing true wealth and true happiness, rather than pursuing empty amusements.
At home, in place of the time usually spent watching TV, plan to read a book together as a family, go out for a family activity, or perhaps invite someone for dinner. Make it your aim to experiment with the potential of focusing family enjoyment on activities that build relationships.
Brought to you by the Four Corners Character Council. Character First! definitions used by permission. Copyright Character Training Institute www.characterfirst.com.
