Yesterday was the happiest day of my life. The births of my children were the most deeply transformative days of my life – a whole new person who is yours and made of you! – but for pure unadulterated happiness, yesterday takes the cake. (And the cake was good, too.)
Now I'm off for two weeks on honeymoon in Wales, my favorite place on earth – soon to be one of my new husband's favorites, I hope. So probably no blogging.
Until I'm back, I wish you all love and challenge, joy and satisfaction, gratitude and curiosity.
Lately, I've been reflecting on the feeling of contentment. I am generally content, and over the past year more so than ever before. I consider it an entirely positive thing.
Then last week, I was talking with a client about the future he wants to create for himself, and he said, "I never want to feel content – I always want to be moving forward." I just listened, and as he continued speaking, I realized that in his mind contentment and complacency are nearly synonymous. He believes that if he is truly content, he will no longer feel motivated to achieve.
I believe the exact opposite. When I'm content — not restless, out of balance, or revved up in any way; but simply at peace and and full of joy — I am at my most productive. When I'm content with my life, none of my energy has to go toward trying to make myself feel OK, feel better, and I can focus entirely on experiencing and accomplishing those things that are truly important to me.
What about you? Do you consider contentment the strong foundation from which you build, or a dangerous soporific?
