Contentedness

Contentedness... Is that a word? Well I just made it one. Second Question: Is it possible to be content? We live in a society where we always want more. We can never have enough. When we think we have it all, we don't. There is always something else we want to do or have.

Take me, for example. I am living my dream. I have everything I have ever wanted. We have shelter, food, and family. I have two beautiful children that I have the wonderful blessing of spending every day with. I am so happy. I am so content...or am I? I have everything I want until I hear one of our wonderful neighbors talking on the phone (on speaker I may add) at 2 am on the stairs right next to our bedroom. I have everything I want until I drive by a beautiful house in a wonderful neighborhood. I am content until I pass by some really cute clothes or shoes or something else that just simply isn't in the budget right now. Why isn't it ever enough. I have so much that I am emotionally overflowing. My heart is full. We are in a better place than we have been in 5 years. OUR ENTIRE MARRIAGE!!!!!

Am I content? Really content? In some ways I say no, not really. I am a selfish person. I want a nicer place to live, I want nicer clothes, I want more. But why? Why do I want more? I DO have nice things. My kids are well-dressed (unless of course my son dressed himself then he is guaranteed to be in a ratty shirt he won't take off, shorts, and his cowboy boots). Our fridge and pantry has plenty of food. Am I content? Mostly, I say yes. I can sit myself down and remind myself of all I have. If I were to count my blessings, it would take a LONG time. Yes, I can whine and wish. I am sinful. But mostly, I have everything I will ever need. My life is full of joy and love.

We all have our days. Bad days. Selfish days. Impatient days. It is such a good thing we don't go through life ourselves. It isn't up to us. Our Savior is there to pick us up, brush us off, and give us the fresh start we need every day. Every day is new, and YES, we can be content, if we choose to be. But I believe it MUST be a choice. It has to be a conscious decision

I am choosing to be content. Things will always come up to challenge that contentedness, but that is ok. I will have days where it is harder to be content, and that is ok too.