Reflecting on Contentment During Thanksgiving
Practice gratitude throughout the year
Contentment is generally a dirty word throughout the year except for the holiday season. Satisfaction with life is a topic of discussion I often hear or read about once the calendar hits November. At this point, all the what are you thankful for or other gratitude questions start to arise from the ethos. The question is, why do we wait until now to recognize that we are fortunate?
All the striving we do year-round in our quest for material possessions causes us to miss what is right in front of our faces. For the vast majority of us, we are living in the highest standards in human history. Our lives are far more manageable than what our great-grandparents experienced, but many of us do not appreciate that fact. We are too caught up in our beliefs or chasing the almighty dollar that we forget to acknowledge that our lives are significantly better than previous generations.
This does not mean we ignore what is evil or brush aside everything and become passive. I am suggesting that we recognize all the strides we have made individually and collectively (I wrote an article about self-awareness that talks about a way to increase that ability). We acknowledge the personal and professional wins during our days, not just the losses. As a country, we truthfully state that we have our problems but are nowhere near what we were 100 years ago. America was a much different country politically and socially during that time, and to not admit that fact is a lie.
Accepting progress does not mean we all join hands daily and sing kumbaya. What it should do is turn down the temperature a little bit. I’m not so threatened by failure because I understand that winning in every life situation is impossible, and I can learn from the defeat. If my beliefs do not align with the election results, I count my blessings that I live in a democratic republic, where I have unalienable rights that cannot be trampled upon by a majority rule.
Admitting all the facets of our lives gives us a more accurate view of reality and an ability to see things a little more clearly. To bring more enjoyment in the time that we do have on this planet. Life is a relatively short game and the years fly by as you age. Looking back on my life, I wish I had been more grateful and patient when I was younger. However, that is water under the bridge. All I can do, or any of us, is appreciate things from this point forward. We can do this daily, not only during a specific part of the year.
It is imperative not to let your life pass by in a wave of anger and disappointment; find some joy today because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Please share what you are grateful for or how you practice contentment daily.
Vertis Williams is a Positive Habits Life Coach and a Mindfulness Trainer. He is a regular presenter at employee and team-development events. Contact him to request more info on his Workshops or on his Coaching Services! Click HERE to Request a Complimentary Habit Coaching Session!
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