We reap what we sow.
Galatians 6:7
CONTENTMENT
a state of peace; at ease in and accepting of one’s situation.
COMPLACENT
being self-satisfied yet unaware of any dangers or deficiencies.
Too often we see successful individuals and feel that they must never be satisfied in life. We strive and feel that we need more to be happy. We feel that once we get that raise, promotion, bonus, or once we finally pay off our debt or once the kids go back to school, then we will be happy. Marketing and sales professionals understand that they need to emphasize what is missing in your life and then show you how much better things will be if you had their product. All of this seems to point to a choice between being happy or being successful but not both. The key to being happy is to realize that you have what you need and become content. But the key to success is to be constantly improving and never become complacent.
Contentment goes hand in hand with gratitude. Being appreciative of the things in your life, you see everything as a miracle. The complacent individual doesn’t see anything as a miracle and takes everything for granted. So one way to start being more content and less complacent is actually to find ways to be more grateful for the things you already have in life.
Scott Miker, scottmiker.com
Gratitude is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has as opposed to, for instance, a consumer-driven emphasis on what one wants or thinks they need. Tossing off the half-hearted “thanks” won’t cut it; deep gratitude has to come from within and in a meaningful way. …Studies show that people can deliberately cultivate gratitude by literally counting their blessings and writing letters of thanks, for example. This proactive acknowledgement can increase well-being, health, and happiness. Being grateful – and especially the expression of it – is also associated with increased energy, optimism, and empathy.
psychologytoday.com
Gratitude Reaps Contentment
How To Become Truly Thankful (Sarah Hardee, christcenteredmama.com)
Lower Our Expectations
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
Give thanks in all situations
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
James 1:2-4 The Message (MSG)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Be humble towards God
Remember who’s in charge.
Pay more attention to your faults than the flaws of others.
Serve others.
Allow God to use us
Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
What about you?