Would you classify yourself as a content person, or do you need some work in this department? The very definition of being content means that you’re satisfied and have what you need in life. The natural drive of folks in this country is to have more, so it’s hard to find many who can say they’re truly contented.
However, when you get to a place where you feel satisfied, things can drastically change for you. A contented person lives their life a bit differently, as they’re not constantly searching for more. Some say that when you realize that you have everything you need, you learn the world it belongs to you.
Twelve Things A Content Person Does
Did you know that even the Bible speaks about being content in the book of Philippians? Chapter 4:11 states: “I have learned that whatever state I’m in to be content.” It seems like it was an issue even during Biblical days since it was important enough to be written about in the scriptures.
So, what does the contented person do that’s so different from everyone else. Here is a list of everyday things they do without even realizing it.
1. An Attitude of Gratitude
You may not have all your wants, but likely your needs are taken care of. Being thankful for all the blessings that the Universe has given is something content people frequently do. They don’t get caught up in materialism or the desire to have more, as they’re satisfied with the things they’ve been blessed enough to receive.
It’s a whole different mindset when you let go of frivolous wants, as it just makes life simpler.
2. Live To Serve Others
There are so many people in this world who have a hard time. The unemployment rate is currently estimated at 5.9 percent in this country, according to the United Statement Unemployment Data. Additionally, 2.7 percent of those folks have been unemployed for an extended time.
However, the content person knows that their mission in life is to help others and give back. They know that there’s always someone who has things worse than them, and they don’t mind doing something to help. You might see this person serving in a soup kitchen, donating clothes to the needy, or doing missions right in this country.
They know that it’s always more blessed to give to someone else than it is to receive something in return. So, they enjoy the way giving makes them feel. It also gives them a better appreciation for life.
3. Do Things They Love
Did you know that the average person spends more than 20 percent of their life working? According to Revise Sociology, you will spend over 92,000 hours in your life making money to survive. However, even though you must work, the contented one knows that they need to have fun too.
Doing the things that you enjoy in life will give your self-esteem and your self-worth a little boost. Enough of life is spent working, so the rest should be doing things you love.
4. Accept Themselves
When you look in the mirror each day, do you like what you see? When you find contentment, you learn that you can accept yourself no matter what. Sure, there will always be flaws and imperfections that you want to change, but finding contentment means that you love yourself just as you are.
5. Live in the Present
Everyone has a past, and there’s seldom a person without a few skeletons in their closet. However, you must learn to move on from past regrets and live in the present. You only get one life to live, so why spend your days and nights crying over things you can’t change?
The contented person knows that you must go forward as going back and fixing anything isn’t an option. There’s a bright future ahead when you learn to stop looking at all your failures.
6. Appreciate the Small Things in Life
When’s the last time you stopped and smelled the roses outside your door? Have you opened your window after a hard rain to smell the stunning fragrance that comes from the heavens? What about the last time you watched a sunrise or a sunset and marveled at the masterpiece in the sky?
One thing a person whose content does is take time for all the little things. They don’t let the wonder and splendor of nature pass them by, and they would pull over on the freeway to catch a glimpse of a stunning rainbow. Life is about all the small things that make it so magnificent.
7. Be Positive
In a world full of negativity, the contented one has learned to be positive. They know that life is stressful, and things aren’t always going to go as you plan, but they’ve learned in everything to find contentment and happiness. These folks also know that it’s essential that you choose positive folks for your inner circle, as negativity can rub off on you when you’re with gloomy people.
It doesn’t mean they don’t have bad days, and their life is all sunshine and roses. However, they’ve learned how to channel negativity through things like meditation, journaling, and positive affirmations.
8. Live A Purpose-Driven Life
You’ve probably heard the term that you need to live a purpose-driven life, but do you know what it means? Someone who is content knows that their life must be lived with purpose. They know that when they achieve this, they are happier and appreciate more of what they have.
Having a purpose means setting goals and watching yourself achieve them. Also, achieving goals means making changes so that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to do.
9. Never Compare Yourself
Did you know that when you compare yourself with others, you’re allowing jealousy to form? Jealousy can be quite a monster to deal with, and it’s a negative emotion that can hurt relationships. You will never find contentment and happiness if you’re constantly looking at your neighbors’ material possessions and being envious of them.
10. Forgive Yourself and Others
Speaking of the past and skeletons in your closet, you must learn to forgive yourself. Do you think you’re the only person that has made mistakes? You must learn to move on, but you must also learn to forgive.
Forgive others when they hurt you, and forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made.
11. Accept The Things You Cannot Change
There are tons of things in life that you cannot change, but you must learn to embrace them. One of the greatest examples of this is Michael J. Fox. He was an up-and-coming actor who started as a big hit on the television show Family Ties.
Everything seemed to be going his way until he received the untimely diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease at 29 years of age. According to the National Library of Medicine, Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that inhibits movements and causes tremors, muscle stiffness, and spasms. Over the next few years, he couldn’t come to terms with the disease, and he plunged into alcoholism and trying methods to self-medicate his pain.
However, he learned that he couldn’t change it, so he lived his best life with this disease. He’s still acting, though his roles are limited as the disease has progressed. At 60 years of age, he’s lived over half of his life with a condition, yet he has used it to educate others.
He has helped millions of people through his foundation understand the condition and find resources and community support. He had the option to fade into the background and quit living. However, he picked himself on and learned to find contentment in what he had, as he knew there was nothing he could do to change it.
12. Be Flexible
Even with the best of intentions, 100 things can go wrong on any given day. A content person has learned that you must roll with the punches. Flexibility is the key to avoid getting all worked up when things don’t go your way.
Realizing that things never go as planned will help you when everything is out of sync.
Final Thoughts On Being A Content Person
Out of the twelve things listed above, would you say you’re a contented person, or do you have some work to do? Perhaps you have some of the attributes but need to brush up on a few things. It’s hard to be content when the world around you is in chaos, but you can learn how to dance in the rain and sing in the darkest of nights.
Life is never going to be a bed of roses, but you can certainly take time to stop and smell the fragrant flowers as you go through your day. Remember, it’s the simple things that matter most. Everything else will fall into place when you live in the present and are thankful for what you have.
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