Contentment: Live a happy life

Contentment is something we should all be striving for. To be content, as far as I’m concerned, is to be able to be happy in the life you’re living; to have the ability to be grateful for what you have and enjoy life. I learned to stop focusing on what I didn’t have and to appreciate everything I did have (family, friends, a loving fiance and a relationship with God). I accepted what I couldn’t change and focused on the things that I could. I found contentment, even when all of my friends were out living their lives, going to school, getting jobs and having fun.

People often try to buy their happiness. They think that money will give them a life of leisure, status, security, or power. The question is, can money really buy your happiness? My response is yes; and no. Money can't buy happiness, but neither can poverty.

When is enough enough? Is the pursuit of wealth a bad thing? Not necessarily. Material things can bring us much pleasure and give us the opportunity to enjoy ourselves, but we fool ourselves if we make those "things" the centre of our life. If we do, we will never have enough or be enough.

Many people feel a need to keep up with the others, so they overspend. The question is, does it really matter if you have all the things they have? Are you going to be any happier? When is enough enough? If you measure happiness by possessions, you will never be authentically happy.

Instead of wishing for a little bit more money to carry you over the hump, start by learning to live on what you have, and being happy with what you have, now. Distinguish between wants and needs. Money itself is not the problem, it's how you use it. It is not evil, but it's often used for evil things.

This insatiable nature is not a bad thing if we use it to our advantage. It can lead to wonderful advancement in our society, or lead to mindless materialism. When it comes to our possessions, we need to use discipline and sometimes make the decision that we can be happy with less than we have. Simplification. We need to say enough is enough, whatever that may mean to the individual. Enjoy what we have while being open to the possibilities of what we would like.

Some people have to have more and more gadgets or the latest and greatest of toys. They have bought into the lie that they have to have these things in order to be happy only to find that after they bought them, they are not only less happy, but also a lot poorer. Some feel they need these things because they fall into the trap of comparing themselves to others. By having many possessions, they are trying to position themselves above the rest of the world by looking successful. This gives them a false sense of validation and worthiness.

People often confuse need with want. They fill their lives with things because they think they need them and the things will make them happy and a somebody. Make sure you don't disguise a want as a need. That doesn't mean you can't have any of your wants fulfilled, but don't do it at the expense of your happiness by being burdened with debt and worry.

You need to really examine the reasons for your purchase, and consider if it's going to really be something that will truly enrich your life or simply be a burden. Can you really afford it, or are you just allowing yourself to be talked into it because you think you want it? If you believe it will be worthwhile and you can do it within your means, then go for it. Chances are, if it's something that will really be worthwhile to you, it can wait awhile until you have the cash.

Only you can decide when enough is enough and when it's a worthwhile risk. When you are doing this, make sure to distinguish between wants and needs. You don't need to ignore your wants, just exercise wisdom and common sense.

It's a hard thing to not have enough, and to struggle for food and shelter. These are clearly needs that have to be met in order to live. True poverty is something that we should do whatever we can to eliminate, and it's worthwhile to help those in need. There is more to poverty than lack of money. It can also be lack of purpose, joy and meaning. Some people with great riches are some of the poorest people in the world.

Contrary to what some might say, there is nothing wrong with the desire to have more than just the basics. In fact, we are all driven by a desire to have a better life, better things, and a better job. There is nothing wrong with being rich. Everyone has the ability and opportunity to acquire abundance and wealth in their lives. The question is, what do you do with your wealth? Is the pursuit of riches your goal, or is it what you can do with the riches to help yourself and those around you?

I have been asking the question of when is enough enough. The answer is totally up to you. You may be satisfied with just getting by. You may want to go further and acquire abundant wealth so that you can experience all that the world has to offer and share it with others. There is nothing wrong with either view. The point is to be sure that you are pursuing that which will make you the best you can be.

Wealth can free you of the burden of having to make a living; you are free to do what you want, when you want. However, if you use your wealth to acquire possessions just for the sake of proving to the world you are somebody or just to look good, you are only setting yourself up for a fall. Wealth, in and of itself, does not make you happy. It's what you do with your wealth that makes the difference.

The key is to learn to live below your means, get out of debt and stay out, and position yourself to be able to do what you want.

**Joanna**