Thank you for the kind words. Interestingly, I'm not actually sure I'm satisfied with the answer. Josh has opened up an immense topic for me to contemplate. I know I feel, and have long felt, contentment. but the question "what IS contentment?" has surprised me. My answer is still developing. I would LOVE to hear from you, Claudia, and Josh, and others: What is contentment from your perspectives?
Your question has prompted me to think deeply. The first thing I realized is certainly the most obvious, contentment is unique to each of us. And as I thought about it further, I realized that what is contentment almost certainly changes for each of us across our lives. For me, at this point in my life, contentment is maximum health / minimum drama relationships. (Every kind of human relationship: family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, romantic, etc.) It is maximum time control / minimum unproductive distraction. (The magical power of "no") And, importantly, the practical freedoms that enable a life of one's own choosing. (i.e., The civic and social circumstances, sufficient financial independence, and physical and emotional health that are needed to live a fulfilling life as I define it.)
UPDATE:
Waggonner, your question has really prompted me to go down a rabbit trail on this topic! I continue to think about it. And I'm very much enjoying the exercise. Thanks!
It really is about those core three: relationships that are healthy for me, as opposed to expedient or expected; personal time management based on my own rhythms rather than that of an organization or others; and the material and physical circumstances of modern life that create maximum latitude for me to live my life my way. The more that each of those three trends in my favor, the more content my life is. And from that contentment I can better rise to life's challenges and find life's happiness.
I've been thinking about whether or not contentment (or fulfillment) is the happy medium between complacency and ambition. Where complacency is resigning to where you are in life, while ambition is wanting to improve (your health, relationships, finances, etc).
Can one be fulfilled while also striving to build a better life? I'm not sure I have an answer yet. As someone who isn't where I want to be yet (health, friends, creatively, financially), but relatively fine in the grand scheme of things, I wonder how I can better enjoy the moment (and what I have) while simultaneously work towards a better future and 'embrace the suck' on harder days.
Great response Jerry! I resonate with the lines "contentment is maximum health / minimum drama relationships" and "the practical freedoms that enable a life of one's own choosing".
Out of curiosity, What does contentment look like for you personally?
Such an important question and such an incredible answer!
Thank you for the kind words. Interestingly, I'm not actually sure I'm satisfied with the answer. Josh has opened up an immense topic for me to contemplate. I know I feel, and have long felt, contentment. but the question "what IS contentment?" has surprised me. My answer is still developing. I would LOVE to hear from you, Claudia, and Josh, and others: What is contentment from your perspectives?
Your question has prompted me to think deeply. The first thing I realized is certainly the most obvious, contentment is unique to each of us. And as I thought about it further, I realized that what is contentment almost certainly changes for each of us across our lives. For me, at this point in my life, contentment is maximum health / minimum drama relationships. (Every kind of human relationship: family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, romantic, etc.) It is maximum time control / minimum unproductive distraction. (The magical power of "no") And, importantly, the practical freedoms that enable a life of one's own choosing. (i.e., The civic and social circumstances, sufficient financial independence, and physical and emotional health that are needed to live a fulfilling life as I define it.)
UPDATE:
Waggonner, your question has really prompted me to go down a rabbit trail on this topic! I continue to think about it. And I'm very much enjoying the exercise. Thanks!
It really is about those core three: relationships that are healthy for me, as opposed to expedient or expected; personal time management based on my own rhythms rather than that of an organization or others; and the material and physical circumstances of modern life that create maximum latitude for me to live my life my way. The more that each of those three trends in my favor, the more content my life is. And from that contentment I can better rise to life's challenges and find life's happiness.
I've been thinking about whether or not contentment (or fulfillment) is the happy medium between complacency and ambition. Where complacency is resigning to where you are in life, while ambition is wanting to improve (your health, relationships, finances, etc).
Can one be fulfilled while also striving to build a better life? I'm not sure I have an answer yet. As someone who isn't where I want to be yet (health, friends, creatively, financially), but relatively fine in the grand scheme of things, I wonder how I can better enjoy the moment (and what I have) while simultaneously work towards a better future and 'embrace the suck' on harder days.
Great response Jerry! I resonate with the lines "contentment is maximum health / minimum drama relationships" and "the practical freedoms that enable a life of one's own choosing".
I was literally searching foot warmers on Amazon earlier today for the same purpose. I'm glad to you endorse them. Buying now!