{"id":2304,"date":"2020-10-14T19:48:41","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T19:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=2304"},"modified":"2020-10-14T19:48:41","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T19:48:41","slug":"how-to-be-content-with-yourself-and-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/10\/how-to-be-content-with-yourself-and-your-life.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Be Content with Yourself and Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"content\"<\/a>
Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Life is not meant to be a struggle.\u00a0 It is supposed to be relaxed.\u00a0 We are meant to go through our days being content and at ease.<\/p>\n

Now, of course, we cannot expect to be relaxed and content all the time.\u00a0 Our loved ones can become ill or die.\u00a0 We may lose our jobs.\u00a0 Or we ourselves may become ill or injured.\u00a0 All of those situations are stressful, and of course, under such circumstances it is hard to be content.<\/p>\n

Being Content Should Be Our Natural<\/em> State<\/strong><\/h3>\n

But barring such dramatic circumstances, you should be content with your life.\u00a0 Your home life and work life should be relaxed and enjoyable.\u00a0 Time should fly by during the day because you are happy and fully immersed whatever you happen to be doing.\u00a0 That is how we should be <\/em>functioning each day.<\/p>\n

The problem is that the world would have us believe otherwise.\u00a0 The world will tell you that human relationships are supposed to be stressful and fraught with conflict.\u00a0 Society will tell you that your job should be unpleasant, and that you should spend 8 to 10 hours a day doing something that you don\u2019t enjoy.\u00a0 Otherwise it isn\u2019t work!\u00a0 We are led to believe that suffering and struggle are a natural part of life, and that only a lucky few get to live in a state of contentment day after day.\u00a0 What a bunch of garbage.<\/p>\n

There is no good reason that life should not be pleasant.\u00a0 You always should be living in a state of contentment, with your day-to-day existence being easy and interesting.\u00a0 But the only way to get to that state is to intentionally create that kind of life.<\/p>\n

Below are ways to create contentment in your life.\u00a0 Consider applying them in your own life, and watch your happiness increase!<\/p>\n

Become Content by Following Your Interests<\/strong><\/h3>\n

So often in life, we struggle because we pursue careers that don\u2019t match our interests.\u00a0 So, instead of having a work life that is enjoyable and is a good fit for us, we flail around pursuing a career that doesn\u2019t suit us.<\/p>\n

You cannot be content if your job doesn\u2019t match your interests.\u00a0 For instance, you may have the intellectual aptitude to be a doctor or a stock broker.\u00a0 But if neither medicine nor finance actually interest you, then pursuing a career in either field will be a recipe for frustration.\u00a0 You will spend years of education and long hours at work pursuing a job that you don\u2019t enjoy.\u00a0 And then your work truly will be work<\/em>!<\/p>\n

However, when what we do matches our interests, we are content.\u00a0 For example, my husband and I recently went to visit my daughter at college.\u00a0 This is her freshman year, and we were hoping she was having a good start.\u00a0 We were delighted to find that she was relaxed and extremely happy.<\/p>\n

After the visit, I mentioned to her that I was thrilled to see her so at ease in her new environment.\u00a0 She said, \u201cI\u2019m not sure I should be this relaxed at college!\u201d\u00a0 But she should be.\u00a0 Not only is she a good student, but she has chosen to study subjects that truly interest her.\u00a0 So, her school work is pleasurable.\u00a0 She is content because she is matching her work (her studies) with her interests.<\/p>\n

And that is the key to being content in your professional life.\u00a0 You need to pursue what interests you.\u00a0 Then your work will be a pleasure.<\/p>\n

To Be Content, Choose Relationships That Are Relaxed and Easy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I grew up in a home environment that was fraught with tension.\u00a0 So, I spent many years having the false belief that relationships naturally have conflict and stress.\u00a0 As a result, when I became an adult, I ended up being in relationships which were tense and difficult because I incorrectly believed that was how it had to be.<\/p>\n

It took me a long time to realize that relationships are supposed to be relaxed and easy.\u00a0 They should be stress-free.\u00a0 And if they aren\u2019t, then the relationships aren\u2019t good and need to end.<\/p>\n

Now, admittedly, conflict happens, even in the best of relationships.\u00a0 No relationship is perfect, and people disagree on occasion.\u00a0 But on the whole, your relationships generally should be conflict-free.\u00a0 If they aren\u2019t, then you need to evaluate whether the relationship is salvageable, or whether it needs to go by the wayside.<\/p>\n

So, if you want to be content, choose your relationships carefully.\u00a0 Be in relationships with people who are happy and at ease with themselves and with life.\u00a0 Realize that conflict and stress in a relationship is not normal,<\/em> and if people bring that kind of negativity into your life, you need to let those relationships go.<\/p>\n

To Create Contentment, Work on Your Spiritual Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The sad truth is that there are many people who have it all, and yet, they are not content.\u00a0 I\u2019ve known folks like this.\u00a0 They had great jobs and lovely families.\u00a0 Nevertheless, in spite of how blessed they were, they were miserable.\u00a0 You may ask, \u201cHow can this be?\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Because to be content, you also have to be spiritually healthy<\/em>.<\/p>\n

When people are spiritually unhealthy<\/em>, they are obsessed with themselves.\u00a0 Their every little dissatisfaction with themselves and with other people is a huge deal to them.\u00a0 Their perspective is askew because their world is just too small.<\/em>\u00a0 You cannot be content with life if your world revolves around me, myself and I.<\/p>\n

When we expand our interests to include the needs and concerns of others, then our world becomes bigger.\u00a0 And we gain some perspective.\u00a0 We realize that the tiny issues which we face during the day are inconsequential compared to what other people face in life.\u00a0 And then we are inspired to feel grateful for our own lives.\u00a0 As I always say, \u201cThere is someone out there who would love<\/em> to have your life.\u201d (To read more about becoming a positive thinker, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Developing A Spiritual Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A spiritual practice gets us out of our big, pumpkin heads and leads us to think about other people, and the world generally.\u00a0 Now, I don\u2019t think there is any right<\/em> spiritual practice.\u00a0 Instead, what is most important is that you find one that works for you.<\/p>\n

For instance, my spiritual practice involves attending a Sunday morning church service.\u00a0 That is largely because I grew up going to a United Methodist Church, so that type of worship service is comfortable for me.\u00a0 But during the week, I also read books by Buddhist, Jewish and Christian authors.<\/p>\n

My spiritual practice reminds me that my life isn\u2019t simply about me.\u00a0 Rather, my life purpose is to serve God by serving the world, whether it be caring for other people or for God\u2019s creatures (including the many pets who reside in my house!).<\/p>\n

When I stop thinking about myself so much and consider the lives of others, it makes me realize how very lucky I am.\u00a0 I have a wonderful husband and a delightful daughter.\u00a0 I live in a nice home and have a financially comfortable life.\u00a0 How could I not be content?<\/p>\n

So, if your life circumstances are good, and yet you still are not content, try focusing on your spiritual health.\u00a0 Attend religious services.\u00a0 Read spiritually uplifting books and articles.\u00a0 Pray or meditate.\u00a0 Do whatever is necessary to expand your perspective and learn to be grateful for what you have.<\/p>\n

Every person should have a life that is relaxed and enjoyable.\u00a0 There is no good reason for life to be otherwise.\u00a0 The key is to make choices to create a life of contentment.\u00a0 Follow the approaches above and watch your contentment and happiness increase!<\/p>\n

Email: meerabelle@meerabelledey.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

To receive my free e-book, “The Confidence Course,” and my weekly newsletter, subscribe at meerabelledey.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Life is not meant to be a struggle.\u00a0 It is supposed to be relaxed.\u00a0 We are meant to go through our days being content and at ease. Now, of course, we cannot expect to be relaxed and content all the time.\u00a0 Our loved ones can become ill or die.\u00a0 We may lose our jobs.\u00a0 Or…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Be Content with Yourself and Your Life - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We all want to be content with ourselves and with our lives. 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