Contentment Meter

The school bell has rung, class is now in session.

Are you content with where you are in life? Have you been taking advantage of the opportunities being afforded to you? How do you react when things are not quite going your way?

These are some of the questions that have been mulling around in my head.

I was a military dependent. For those who don’t know, that is the spouse and/or child of a person serving in the military. I would consider myself extremely comfortable being around all types of people. I have lived in Europe, cities across the United States of America; have resided in small and large cities among many races and cultures. I promise I have a point to this story.

Fast forward to adulthood – I have met many people who are not content in the town they live, quality of life or work situation. It is normal to feel this way from time to time, but should not become a habitual emotion.

The Town and Quality of Life

If you are complaining about where you live, do not allow it to determine your overall happiness. Take advice from me, the place I remember having the most fun was a small town where we had a few stores, and drove 50 minutes to the nearest mall.

Do you want to know why it was fun? It was because of the community we built with those around us. In Proverbs 18:24, it says, A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

If you want friends, you have to show yourself friendly to people. It is the relationship built with others, that determine the quality of life in a town. For example, take a large city. There is always a lot to do in a city that never sleeps.

Have you ever lived in a large city? Have you known someone who has, were unhappy and decided to move to a smaller town? My answer is yes to both. A remedy to enjoying yourself in a large or small city, is building a community around yourself. That could include finding hobbies you enjoy, joining a church, an organization, meeting new people and building relationships with like-minded people. It is not about where you live, it is the community you build, that creates a good quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Work Situation

If there is discontentment in the workplace, it could be one of two things. The first thing could be that you are working outside of your capacity, and there is another position and organization better suited for you. The second reason could be that you are being tested, and gaining new skillsets that will help you progress to the next level within your same organization/system.

You have to pray and reflect on which reason fits your situation. There is a solution for both areas: apply and end up switching positions and/or organizations, or be patient and continue applying within the same organization/system until the door opens for the next level.

Our Town

This brings me to a play titled, Our Town by Thornton Wilder. The play was set in the small town of Grover’s Corners. It talks about the different roles people play and how they went through their days. Eventually tragedy hits, and one of the characters passes on and is allowed to come back to earth to relive an experience and chose to come back on her 12th birthday.

According to the synopsis, She joyfully watched her parents and some of the people of her childhood for the first time in years, but her joy quickly turned to pain as she realized how little people appreciated the simple joys of life. The memory proved too painful for her and she realized that every moment of life should be treasured. 

Takeaways

Do you feel discontent with your town, quality of life, or work situation?

Remember the following:

1. If you want friends, show yourself friendly.
2. Unhappy with your work situation? Remember it may be a trial, do your best to build your skillset for your next level, or try applying to something completely outside of your current field.
3. Take the time to appreciate the simple joys of life.
4. Every moment should be treasured.
5. Build community around yourself through relationships with like-minded people.

P.S. Your town and contentment is what you make of it.

The school bell has rung, class is dismissed.