I was trying to find a word..just one single word that would describe what i want out of life. My first thought was happiness. BUT happiness is a feeling that comes and goes and lets face it you cant be happy all the time lol. We have lots of emotions for all kinds of reasons. I would always tell people I just want to be happy. But that is not true. I am happy sometimes..and sometimes not. I think that is pretty much what all people go through. Being happy was not the word I was looking for.

So I started thinking about when i was younger..in my 20's. Honestly so far..the best times in my life. When my grandparents were still alive..when my kids were young..when I didnt work and i could just consentrate on being a mom and wife..When gas was $1.80 a gallon lol. When cooking didnt seem like a chore. When going to the grocery store was fun.

The word that came to me was CONTENT!

CONTENT:satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

THAT is exactly what I want to be. When I was younger..I didnt want to be happy..I was content with the way life was. And life was not a bed of roses all the time. I was not "happy" all the time. I didnt question much..I just did whatever had to be done or what I wanted. I never thought about searching outside of my own little world for anything. I had everything that I thought I needed. Hubby and I had way less money back then..less bills..less stress! Going to a "cheap" movie that had been out for months was a great date night. Running our oldest to football games and baseball games. Picking up our youngest friends and getting no sleep cause they were up all night playing video game.

Now I find myself asking questions..wanting what i use to have. Being that 20 something girl who was content with what she had. I think alot of this comes from change..guess I am not doing so well with that. lol. My grandparents being gone..and they raised me so it is more my parents are gone. The kids getting older and now I have to find something to fill the void that is being left there. When they were younger, your life revolves around them. As they get older..you have more time to yourself..and have to learn to adjust to the extra time you always wanted lol.

Soo I have made a vow to myself to try to become more CONTENT. I honestly have no idea how to do this!! I am going to try as much as I can. This is what I truly believe I want out of life. I want to be content! I feel I spend so much time..guessing..talking to myself in my head..wanting whatever to make me "happy" What I really want is to be content. That way when something great..or not so great comes along...I am ok with it.

Does this make sense?? It sure does to me. So off to change me siggy on here..I have to be content..bottom line

Thanks for listening

I'm not part of the 300 club, but I saw this from the front page, read it, and totally agree with you.

I want that too, more than anything.

Cyn, I don't usually post on this board so I hope you don't mind me posting now as I saw this thread in the new posts section.

I love your post and love everything you've said. It's very inspiring and I also just want to be content so thank you!

I hope it's ok that I post here..... but I found your post very inspiring!! Lately I've been VERY stressed because of work and because of some changes at home as well. Nothing terrible but I get stressed very easily because I'm always trying to anticipate what's going to happen next, before I've handled the thing right in front of me. I think I also need to be content and stop trying to look too far into the future. Otherwise I'm going to miss RIGHT NOW. Thanks for the post.

I will definitely agree with that. To be content... Nothing more, nothing less is a gift.

I find I will go through periods of contentment, and then someone else will point out what is lacking or needs change and then it is a hard road back. I kind of wish people wouldn't point things out to those who are content.

*sigh*

That IS a great goal!! I've found that I have to stop and NOTICE contentment sometimes. It can come in many forms, but can be hard to recognize -- maybe because we're so busy? Stressed? Stop and take a second and focus on the good... just for a little bit. Repeat.

Content is one of my favorite words! Always has been...

Thanks Cyn for that great post!! I guess for me I am content in part of my life and then the other parts are sometimes just chaos. If that can even happen! Looking back over my life, I realize now that I am right where I have always wanted to be with the exception of a few things.

Your post also brought to mind a few verses in the Bible...
1 Timothy 6:6-8

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

I have always be an over-analyzer! Just one of my many traits I am learning to deal with that though. I too would like to have complete contentment in every area of life, not just a few! My mother has always told me "don't sweat the small stuff" She is absolutely right! Why worry about things you have no control over!?

I feel like I have joined a new family here! Just like I mentioned to somebody in an earlier post, weight loss is a struggle in and of itself and there is no room for negativity on this journey! When you have as far to go as I do, any support and encouragement you can get just helps that much more even when you have had a bad day and may not feel like being encouraged, that's when you need it most!! WE CAN DO THIS!!! KEEP GOING!!

WE MUST ENDEAVOR TO PERSEVERE!!!

What I find interesting is that contentment always seemed like settling to me when I was younger. My thinking was "why not shoot for happiness?" but now I realise that both the definition and the implication of contentment is that it includes happiness, and sadness, and all the in-betweens. It's something I'm striving for in my life too.