Contentment

Contentment is commonly defined as the state of satisfaction or a source of satisfaction. We all will define success differently. I'd like to believe that true success is finding the ever eluding pie in the sky; otherwise known as contentment.

Take the following for example:

When we are very young we dream of getting out of the house Monday through Friday and joining the big kids at school. We think that when we start attending school we will begin to discover who we are, be able to make big kid decisions, and meet lifelong friends.

Yet, when we begin school we see the bigger kids. We think that when we reach 5th grade we can take charge of our school and make our own rules.

Then we reach the 5th grade. Yet again, we look beyond our current situation to the 6th graders. How great will it be when someday we can go to several classes a day and if we don't like a teacher... who cares? We'll be gone in 50 minutes anyway!

6th grade comes and we then look to high school as a greater source of satisfaction. In high school we can hang out with girls that are becoming women, choose our own classes, and begin riding to school with other kids who drive.

High school days dawn, and instantly we begin looking to college. Afterall, in college we don't even have to go to class!

College starts and we're tired of school; we just want to enter the job market and start making the big bucks.

After college we share two dreams: to go back to college and leech off of mom and dad again, or to make it as far as we possibly can. If only I could make more money I'd be content. If only my wife/girlfriend didn't nag so much. If only I had married someone better looking. If only I had that car. If only I lived in that neighborhood. If only I had a better job. If only...


Why is it that our inherent reaction to our current position is dissatisfaction? This is a vicious cycle that will inevitably destroy us. I mean, what do you think you'll be saying when you're old and senile? Surely we won't be looking back and saying more money would have changed things. I doubt that I will sit back and still be asking “if only”. If I am, everything I have accomplished or done throughout my lifetime is for naught.

So let's consider the fundamentals of what should define who we truly are, none of which are tangible.

We must live a life of hope. Hope is the one thing that no one can steal from us. I hope to be a great husband someday. I hope to be a great father to my future children. I hope to provide a loving household that is second to none. I hope that my future children never hesitate to talk about how great of a man their father was.

We must live a life of peace. Peace holds a different meaning and value to each of us. I am at peace with my job. I am at peace with being single. I am at peace with the reality that I may remain single for the rest of my life. I am at peace with my financial state. I am at peace with my family. I am at peace with God.

We must live a life with a vision. Without a vision, people perish. I envision achieving personal victories. I envision attaining a strong network of friends and family. I envision becoming a man that will forever be known as having a genuine and sincere heart. I envision being known not as a man of adversities, but a man of victories.

We must live a life of faith. Faith takes many different forms, but we must have faith in something. I have faith in God. I have faith in myself. I have faith in life. I have faith in my family and friends.

We must live a life of love. Love endures all things. I love my job. I love my dog. I love my family and friends. I love the woman that I will marry, if ever, whoever, and wherever she is.

Hope. Peace. Vision. Faith. Love. As I sit here staring at the blinking cursor I'm questioning if I, myself, am content with only these five. Even though I'm reluctant to admit, I must say that I'm not sure that my perceptions are solely based around these alone. Yet, strangely the adage “to whom much is given, much is required” sounds in my mind.

I have been blessed in countless ways. May I, myself, find this writing useful in focusing not upon the temporary, but on the things that are eternal. They say that the man who dies with the most toys is still dead. In the same token, the man who sells his soul will remain soulless.

Contentment has an additional definition; an ease of mind, good feeling, or happiness. If I only maintain a hope in what is to come, a peace in my current state, a vision of what is to come, a faith in things not seen, and a love that seems impossible; I have attained fruition... also known as success.

My Divorce Journal...

I have wrestled with whether or not to ever share these notes. Please understand that in no way am I intending to do anyone harm or say anything negative about anyone. It's not intended to offend anyone or invoke sympathy.

This was a very difficult time in my life on many levels. My divorce seemed as if it was what had broken the camel's back. Yet, I persevered.

I chose to post these writings for several reasons:
1) To not highlight my struggles, but share in my victories
2) To not focus on the past, but embrace the closure of a several year battle of the whole picture (divorce only in part)
3) To reach out to anyone who is hurting in a similar way and provide that support and encouragement that is so desperately needed
4) To make anyone aware of the pains of divorce, in effort to encourage them to ALWAYS fight for their relationships

I am over what happened completely and have been for nearly two years. I am not depressed, but rather am immensely joyful to share in overcoming adversity.

If ANYONE has issue in any part with my writings please let me know.

- Mike