Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Mistaking contentment for complacency.

Don't mistake contentment for complacency.  
I have. Many of us do. Doing so, we deny ourselves the experience of contentment for fear of becoming complacent. 

 
Definition of complacency:  'a feeling of security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.' 

 
That is not contentment! 

I often work with people who confuse the two. As I share about contentment being something we will work towards experiencing I often get push back. The concern that seems to come up is that contentment will lead to complacency and diminish any ambition to improve their circumstances. 

 
Being complacent is a comfort zone. Sitting in a familiar old raggedy chair can be so very comfortable. But, it is not an authentic representation - or an acknowledgement - of all you have learned, achieved, and deserve in life.


Definition of contentment: a state of happiness and genuine satisfaction.

  
Contentment is a starting place; A place from which to grow - rather than a place to get to. A place from which you can ask yourself "what do I want?" as opposed to "what do I need?" Avoid the feeling of contentment for fear of becoming complacent and you will perpetuate thinking that contentment is something to be found outside of yourself; Never quite within reach.
Being content is an experience associated with self esteem and a solid foundation from which to leap forward. 
Truth is, I'm still a student learning to separate and experience contentment. And, occasionally, when not confusing the two I get to it.



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