Are You Contented ?

10 Nov 2004

Do you have a contented life? For the most part, are you happy?
When are you content?
How do you define happiness, contentment?
Who in your life makes you happy or takes away your happiness?
Look at these questions. If you consider yourself truly happy, are they contingent on situations outside yourself or do they come from inside you? If you are really happy for short periods of time can you duplicate that situation so it happens more frequently? If you see yourself as unhappy, is it because of circumstances?
Do you learn to really like yourself?
There are certain elements to consider. They include self respect, acceptance, appreciation, trust, tolerance. Look at these ingredients and apply them to yourself. Consider whether you treat yourself with the same love and appreciation you would treat another person.
Do you respect yourself?
Is there something in your past or someone who has made you feel less of a person? Are you living up to your personal values? Can you say you can be trusted? Do you keep your word?
Do you accept yourself?
Are you as accepting of yourself as you are of others? Do you look only at your flaws or do you consider your positive attributes? If there are areas you aren't comfortable with, are you in the process of changing them? Change what you don't like, accept that which you don't want to change. You don't have to be perfect!
Do you appreciate yourself?
Do you look at the nice things you do and pat yourself on the back? Do you tell yourself the words of encouragement you tell others?
Do you trust yourself?
Do you follow your intuition? Do you make sensible decisions? Is your judgement sound? Do you have common sense? Do you learn from your mistakes?
Do you show tolerance toward yourself?
Do you dwell on the negative or do you balance it out with positives. You may not normally think positively, your negative mind chatter may drag you down but you can develop the habit of thinking positively, creating an attitude of optimism and hope.
Take care of yourself. If you don't, nobody else will. If you don't appreciate and love yourself, how can you expect others to appreciate and love you? Develop goals that move you closer to caring for yourself. Learn from everything that happens, the positive as well as the negative, the small as well as the large.
A nice side effect of contentment is that you become more flexible. As you like yourself more, you can consider others more. You aren't so preoccupied with getting your own personal needs met. It's a win-win situation. As that happens, you find that delightful people come into your life and enhance it even more.
"If you want things to happen, work to make them happen."
It's your LIFE! Appreciate it and enjoy it.

10 Nov 2004

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Know Thyself.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses
Little
XXX

10 Nov 2004

Hmm, let's see now...
Cable TV, broadband...
I'm content.
(Yes I know, doesn't take much, does it...) wink

10 Nov 2004

Yes, as far as general contentment, knowing myself and being happy with myself, etc, but also no.
But that will change to a simple "yes" once I've found my soul mate.
(I've even looked down the back of the sofa, but to no avail)
Although I'm well aware that makes me sound like a sad old tosser.
lol

10 Nov 2004

10 Nov 2004

I'm getting there, nearly contented

10 Nov 2004

Normally I don't feel content because there's lots of things that need 'doing' around the house etc and it pisses me off!!... hnowever.. I've just had a huge slice of hot chocolate cake smothered in cream.. so right now I'm as contented as anything biggrin

10 Nov 2004

I've been thinking about this for a good couple of hours, but don't expect anything clever wink

just an honest answer.
I'm happy but not content.
What that means for me is that I'm kucky enough to have the 'happy gene'. Some people have it some don't!!!
There are things in my life I'd change (and I am working on them), some things about myself I'd change (also working on those - like always putting off boring stuff like doing the accounts).
There's a great big hole in my life that I would like to be sorted out, its going to take a long time for that one I think, but it will be solved - either I'll get over the heartache or the lady in question will come back to me (which I'm definitely working on, though very gently).
But in general, happy biggrin

(I'm an eternal optimist)
SA
XXX

10 Nov 2004

Quote by SpiritedAway
I've been thinking about this for a good couple of hours, but don't expect anything clever just an honest answer.
I'm happy but not content.
What that means for me is that I'm kucky enough to have the 'happy gene'. Some people have it some don't!!!
There are things in my life I'd change (and I am working on them), some things about myself I'd change (also working on those - like always putting off boring stuff like doing the accounts).
There's a great big hole in my life that I would like to be sorted out, its going to take a long time for that one I think, but it will be solved - either I'll get over the heartache or the lady in question will come back to me (which I'm definitely working on, though very gently).
But in general, happy (I'm an eternal optimist)
SA
XXX

I thought about putting a similar post ... there are things in my life that I wish could be better, that at the moment I have no control over and possibly not for a while. I suffer from depression quitely badly, although at the moment am managing to tread water, so I can't entirely say I'm content ...
All I can say is that everyday I strive to be as content with the day's circumstances as possible.

10 Nov 2004

Content,not 100% ive got ambition and things i want to do with my life,i dont want to stand still.
Happy definately 100% ive got all the love in the world from the people who i give a shit about and theres nothing better than unconditional love biggrin

10 Nov 2004

I think I have the malcontent gene. Even when things are going my way and I am achieving my goals for some reason I don't find contentment. This puzzles me greatly and I wish I could overcome it but I just don't seem to be able to. At this stage in my life I have resigned myself to this never changing.
I am not unhappy in my discontentment though lol

10 Nov 2004

Quote by corriefem
think many of us battle with depression and I live on the edge but accept that.

We also live in a world where even now most people don't really appreciate or understand what depression is, and just tell people to "cheer up". I speak from personal experience here, having suffered from depression in my past, as well as having friends who have or do suffer with it.

10 Nov 2004

Quote by celticq
Even when things are going my way and I am achieving my goals for some reason I don't find contentment.

I feel inclined to believe that that's 'normal'. Contentment surely equals stagnation. If you're content you are happy with your lot and see no reason to change or look for anything new. Whereas your typcial human is always striving for something better, aiming for something higher, looking for new things to entertain and enthral you.

10 Nov 2004

Quote by zootle
Whereas your typcial human is always striving for something better, aiming for something higher, looking for new things to entertain and enthral you.

CQ thinking she likes the idea of being entertained and enthralled and wondering if this is an offer :shock:

10 Nov 2004

Quote by celticq
CQ thinking she likes the idea of being entertained and enthralled and wondering if this is an offer :shock:

If that's how you want to read it, who am I to argue?
:rascal:

10 Nov 2004

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10 Nov 2004

Quote by corriefem
Depression for me is something I hid for a long time .It is only in the last couple of years I became brave enough to tell people.

Telling people helps a lot, but it's sometimes a case of choosing wisely who you tell. 10 odd years ago (early 20s), when I had a period of depression, I didn't tell anyone. Worked it through on my own. But then that worked for me and I came out of that with a much better understanding of myself. So, oddly, I see it as a positive thing. I'm also much more open in general now.

Quote by corriefem
I am my best teacher and friend and I suppose learning to love myself was my biggest step to realising that I could be content.

This I agree with, my experience also.

10 Nov 2004

Quote by corriefem
Agree totally. Depression for me is something I hid for a long time .It is only in the last couple of years I became brave enough to tell people. I felt it was something people never believed because they always thought I came across as so confident and in control. When it hits me now I take a couple of days off, hide under the bed covers and talk myself out of it. It happens so rarely now because I talk myself out of it. I am my best teacher and friend and I suppose learning to love myself was my biggest step to realising that I could be content.

I hid it for years .... hid abuse and really now I realise that this is added to my problems.
I'm not scared to tell people now that I suffer depression, although I am careful who I tell about the circumstances. Most people upon talking to me assume I'm really confident and bubbly but I really really struggle because I never know who to trust sad

There are a couple of people on here that do know my circumstances and I trust those people, both on here and away from the keyboard.
Learning to trust people has been key to me .. I'm off the anti-d's at the moment and will fight to stay off as much as possible as they don't really suit me. i have good days and bad days and don't really "do" stress very well.
Hugs to you corrie ... i can very much relate to your post

11 Nov 2004

Yes I certainly am content with my lot in life.
I have a fabulous marriage which has lasted almost quarter of a century so far :shock:
We have three grown sons, who are independant, sociable and happy.
We have worked hard all our lives for what we have and have come through adversity on many occassions.
But such occassions make one stronger in personaility and mental attitude.
I like myself. I respect myself and most of all, I am content with whatever life throws at me, knowing that I can cope with it, whatever it may be.
Tracy-Jayne

11 Nov 2004

Red. Just looked at your website and nearly had a heart attack. I saw that faded yellow effect you have going down the left hand side of the page and thought my monitor was b0rked! :shock:

11 Nov 2004

Quote by flapjackboy
Red. Just looked at your website and nearly had a heart attack. I saw that faded yellow effect you have going down the left hand side of the page and thought my monitor was b0rked! :shock:

Really sorry! Being cheapskates we've gone for a free web hosting. It's ok but gives limited colour choices - either yellow or nothing at all rolleyes

Strangely, most people say it's the pics which give them heart palpitations wink

Tracy-Jayne

11 Nov 2004

Quote by corriefem
think many of us battle with depression and I live on the edge but accept that.

We also live in a world where even now most people don't really appreciate or understand what depression is, and just tell people to "cheer up". I speak from personal experience here, having suffered from depression in my past, as well as having friends who have or do suffer with it.
Agree totally. Depression for me is something I hid for a long time .It is only in the last couple of years I became brave enough to tell people. I felt it was something people never believed because they always thought I came across as so confident and in control. When it hits me now I take a couple of days off, hide under the bed covers and talk myself out of it. It happens so rarely now because I talk myself out of it. I am my best teacher and friend and I suppose learning to love myself was my biggest step to realising that I could be content.
And me. sad

I call them "Black Dog Days" when a little black dog sits on my shoulder and whispers poison in my ears. Can't ignore him, so now I just tell people what he says.
Am I content? Yes. Life is good, because of the people in it.
"Those who seek happiness for themselves rarely find it, those who seek it for others, will always be surrounded by it"
Love Hugs and Kisses all round
Kat

11 Nov 2004

Quote by RedHot
Strangely, most people say it's the pics which give them heart palpitations
Tracy-Jayne

Yes, those too. Thing is though, my monitor is on it's last legs and I was thinking 'oh shit, I'm going to have to fork out for a new one' :shock:
Now, if it'll just hold together until after Christmas...