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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