Contentment

“Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.”
Philippians 4:10 MSG

In today’s hustle #girlboss world, the idea of contentment feels . . . unamerican in a way. But I’m struck by today’s reading in Philippians, and I have to say it’s one of those verses I come back to time and again. Isn’t the ultimate achievement in life being content, no matter the circumstance? I feel like I’m always striving for something, and this strive may underpin all the negative emotions I struggle with, no? Maybe contentment can co-exist with the fiery ambition God gave me. Here are some ways I make do.

1. Ask yourself one question

Do you ever find the mind running so far into the future that it’s everything you can do to just ENJOY what’s happening now? I’m usually in this mode, and it’s taken quite a bit of discipline to keep myself from falling headlong into a worry-cycle. The key to contentment is to know God has a way for us. The trick is to trust in faith, even when not knowing what that “way” is. So when thoughts occur that are intrusive and take me away from that peace, I ask myself one simple question.

“Is this helpful?” 

Guess what, 9 times out of 10 it ain’t. Trash the thought–literally imagine a gigantic bin and throw it inside. Then move on, sistah.

2. Praise Him

Build in moments of your life where you thank God for what you do have in life. This is easier than you think, and man does it make you feel better. Because the truth is we are SO FLIPPING BLESSED it’s not hard to spill forth with gratitude. Some ideas for finding moments to praise in your daily life.

-Mealtimes 
-When entering/leaving the house
-As you wake up/before you go to bed
-Whenever you check your email
-Setting a timer on your phone/reminder
-When you call your spouse/partner/bestie
-Walking the dog
-Putting on your shoes

Pick something and make it a routine, et voila!  

3. Phone a friend

It’s much easier to share what’s going on with a close friend. No matter what you are going through, trust me, we’ve all been there. Don’t feel the need to bottle up your emotions, tell someone! Being vulnerable isn’t all that scary, in fact, it can really feel cathartic. Women especially, moms in particular, find this hard. There is so much pressure to judge and be judged, that we often don’t stop and say “hi, I’m struggling today.” Why? God gave you community to help hold you in His love. It’s there for you to use, so use it or lose it! We can be so critical of social media, but it can be a great way to reach out when face to face, or even phone calls feel like too much. Use the technology for your benefit. 

4. Dose yourself with perspective

Sometimes when the big, scary things happen in life (I’m living this now) they alter your world in very real ways. My family is struggling now with a cancer diagnosis, and the gift of that is perspective. Every “new” problem seems so silly compared to what life can dole out. Even now, when I get myself wrapped up in something, I snap out of it WAY faster. It’s almost like you can see through the matrix, you GET life is about love and nothing more. It really rebuilds your foundation and lets you step away from things that COULD have been real problems in your life. 

Those are my “contentment” hacks to keep your heart (and body) calm and yourself prepared for this awesome journey called life. I’m no Paul, but I like to think I get to try every day, hour, minute and second. And that aspiration is one ambition I’m never giving up.