Wanted: contentment.

The art of being content.

It's something tricky that word. Content.

I can be happy. It's having a laugh with my children, doing something I enjoy, being with people I love. All those things are moments which make me happy. Smily, "oh what fun" kind of times. Think Pharrell's 24 hour Happy dance kind of times. And then I check Facebook, read an article, watch the news and something will take me back to the reality of life where there are things to want, people to compare yourself to, stuff to worry about.

When Christmas or birthdays come I struggle to think of things I want. Yet, in a second I can go from not needing anything to impulse buying something because I just have to have it. Not. Good. Marketeers dream.

I would say in general all the boxes are ticked. Family, health, work, house, love. Tick, tick, tick.

And yet... It's so easy to take that for granted and look "over the fence". Just checking that the grass isn't greener over at the Jones' place. I'm sure I'm not the only one who can go from being content to be left feeling wanting more, feel short changed by life or just a bit 'meh' about the seemingly banality of my life compared to the friends, bloggers, famous people sharing their perfectly presented "best of" moments online, on tv, in magazines.

It's ridiculous and yet so easily done. Here's my life (with all its loveliness and all its flaws which I know so well) and there is everyone else's (with only its shiny, polished snapshots of perfection) and to compare the two is nonsense. I know this. You know this. And yet, I bet you have done it too.

A bit of window shopping someone else's life isn't all bad though. If it encourages me to look at the areas in my life which I want to kick into shape then great! I'm trying to use those moments to focus on what I have and be content about that. Not always strive for something else. If it encourages me to make the most of what I have, I'll happily let it. I just don't want to allow it to make me feel like I'm missing something, to feel outdone by everyone else.

When I look up contentment quotes it's all about being happy with what you have. Appreciating. Allowing yourself to be you, not aspiring to live someone else's life.

Maybe that's all it takes. But dammit, sometimes a girl wouldn't mind owning a ridiculously expensive handbag or sitting on a nice beach somewhere hot with a cocktail in hand. All who agree wave your hands!* Until then, I'll go and make myself a cup of coffee and be content.

*Or leave a comment.

http://24hoursofhappy.com

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