Discontentment

I've experienced enough "Discontentment" to choke a horse. Haven't particularly enjoyed the ride. Though I am still learning, this has helped me. :-)

 

 

“Longings.  Coming face to face with the fact that there are empty places in our lives that haven’t been filled.  Yearnings.  Wanting more than we have:  more love, more enjoyment, more passion, more hope, more rest.  Cravings.  The hope of finding something that will satisfy the rumbling we feel in the stomach of our soul.”

Nicole Johnson

 

What in the world is the secret to contentment?  Is there one? It seems society is on a fast track of continual lust.  Are any of us really satisfied with what we have and what we don’t? I can think of countless times, I have uttered this simple statement to my Creator, disgruntled and disgusted: 

 

“What’s up with this anyway, God?  I didn’t sign up for this. This isn’t what I prayed for.  There has to be a mistake some where.  Let’s go over this whole thing with a fine tooth comb and see what we can come up with, shall we?”

 

Some cry and stuff their pain, some throw conniption fits, yell, curse, take it out on the pet or the next telemarketer, get depressed and stay in bed for days on end, write nasty letters and complain until the cows come home.  We’ve all done it.  Don’t act so innocent.  Who among us is perfect? 

 

I will have to admit something though.  Discontentment rots my bones and makes me miserable.  I can wallow in my pity party all day long and it accomplishes nothing...nada! 

 

Well known speaker and author Joyce Meyer gives a great piece of advice on this malady.  She said she sets a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and during that time she throws the biggest pity party she’s ever had.  She moans and groans and carries on probably at the top of her lungs.  But when that timer goes off, the lights of the party have been dimmed and she goes back to living life…without complaining.

 

The truth is, there will be plenty of things in this lifetime to whine about.  I’ve been offered more wine with my cheese than anybody, trust me, I have.   But continually throwing pity parties eventually starts to wear on you and on me.  The inner turmoil that goes a long with it is just plain excruciating. 

 

I’ve learned a simple three step plan to the secret of contentment that really works when I practice it.  And, I am a whole lot happier because of it!

 

 

1.  Don't Compete

2.  Don't Complain

3.  Don't Compare

 

 

    Before you turn up your nose, keep a mental note of these three things for a week.  Wear a rubber band around your wrist and give it a little snap every time you catch yourself doing one of the three. When you’re tempted to compete, complain or compare, try doing the opposite.

 

You just might be feeling a tad bit better by the end of the week. Do me a favor and let me know what your outcome is?  I’d love to hear about it. :-)

 

 

Reviews

[youngwriter222]

You gave some good advice here. We do as americans complain about material things and what we don't have but want.

1. Don't Compete
2. Don't Complain
3. Don't Compare

Those are awesome rules. I will have to try that rubber band thing, it might work. We all have to remember that we don't NEED everything, just the nessacery stuff to get us through the day.

This was an amazing story, with great advice
Sarah

[None]

Carole,
You are truly so gifted with helping others. I know this is just what I need today. God has really gifted you through the spirit to reach out and want to offer the best to others. I really like the pity party timer idea. I may use that one REAL soon! I'm not going to complain and tell you all about it. LOL. I know you are very curious though. Just kidding!
Your are a true storehouse of knowledge and your writing is set apart with your own beautiful style!
Thank you for your gift!

[Dezaraye]

Um ... I could swear you're writing these pieces just for me ...

I wish that it were as easy as you make it sound. Your advice is good and I like that you incorporated outside sources, too.

[Beautifully Tragic xPoe..]

I hate to compete in anything because its almost a waste of time. I do manage to complain sometimes, but trying to work my way around that so I don't complain. And compare, I dont think there is much comparing to do. Nice piece, Carol. Some people really need to read this, I enjoyed reading it myself. Thanks for sharing and posting.


Great Write.

[Jason]

This was wonderful to read. Thank you for posting it! I am going to send it to my parents!

[Candle in the wind]

Amazing I just needed to read this.I am going to keep it handy.Its going to my favorites.

[Brenda Sue]

Very well said, Carole. Sometimes when talking to people those three things are all you hear them talking about. And it is so easy to complete, to complain, to compare, but we just can't let ourselves get stuck. You have a great idea here. Wonderfully penned. Great job.

[Jayne Ann Saporito]

Now that I am an old lady, I have lived according to your rules outlines here, and I have been very content for a number of years now! Regardless of whatever hellhole s**t is going on in my life, I manage to stay content.
I don't complain; at least I don't have cancer yet;
I don't compare myself to other moms, neighbors, workers, etc., any more;
I don't compete. I am happy with what I've gotten and done and just leave it at that!

The only competition I get involved in is seeing how far and high up the mountains I can still hike........and that's good for the soul!