I Choose to be Content.

by LaVerne H. Collins, PhD, LPC, LCMHC, NCC

I rarely have time to watch television these days. Recently, however, I began watching a particular weekly show that I have come to like. I find the show to be captivating, but then there are the commercials. Watch just a few of those advertisements and you can easily start to feel discontent. The messages suggest that you will be “something-er” if you have less of this, or more of that.

Advertising is an industry that grows by convincing you to be discontent with life as you know it!  And it’s easy to get sucked into the discontentment trap.

Being content is a state of mind, wherein you allow your mind and emotions to accept what is. As the commercials aired on my new favorite show, I was reminded that contentment is a choice. We must consciously choose contentment in each moment.

The Apostle Paul seemed to understand this well. He said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 2 Philippians 4:12-13

When we learn this, we can more easily catch ourselves when the ego thinks it needs to be in control. And we return to our contentment.

You will find it easier each time you bring yourself back to contentment. You will be retraining your brain. You will be retraining your emotions. You will be retraining your ego.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What are the things that I allow to trigger discontentment within me?
2. What can I do more of that will bring me into a state of contentment?
3. How can I release old patterns and be more content with what is?