Contentment on the order of Perfect!
…it even possible to feel that feeling today?
Are we contented about anything or anyone – included ourselves?
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“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” – Dale Carnegie
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“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” Socrates
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“Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” Lao Tzu
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Roughly 1500 years separates Dale Carnegie from Socrates and Lao Tzu. Of the 
three of them, where they resided and what they believed were worlds apart and yet they are all saying exactly the same thing.
So as I think on this it does seems to come down to a choice. The deciding of how you are going to feel about things.
I’m guessing our capacity for contentment will be based on our choices to be content with what we have, where we are and how we feel – in that moment!
Giving thanks for what there is and then embracing life for all it can be! In that order!
Please enjoy this beautiful rendition of The Lion Sleeps Tonight along with gorgeous scenery from Africa!
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Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend, relax, enjoy family and friends as you can, and be content!
~ Penny
The Why About This 
I found this a very interesting post – loved the quotations and the pictures of Africa, which I love.
After my Mum died my Dad once said to me that he was happy enough, he just wasn’t contented any more without Mum. They had been together for 54 years and she was his muse as well as his love. He didn’t write anything new after she died, only revised previously written works. He had written 13 novels for children and four for adults since retiring early but when contentment left him, so did his inspiration. The memory is a sad one – nevertheless, I thank you for bringing it to my mind. It has also given me food for further thought.
All the best to you 🙂
Thank you, and I do understand and relate. The same thing happened in reverse to me. My mom and dad were together for many years, just one year after dad was gone my mom said, I just can’t be here without him. I’m going to go where we can both dance again and she did. (They always had loved to dance and would joke about dancing for eternity). Much and love to you, we do share some similar memories don’t we? 🙂
I love the idea of your Mum and Dad dancing for eternity. It reminds me of when my Granny was dying and she said that we were not to worry as she’d been waiting to see Grandad for such a long time and now the wait was over.
Indeed we do share similar memories and it’s so lovely to be able to do so over the miles through the medium of the blogosphere.
All the best to you and yours 🙂
Thank you so very much. I am in completely agreement with you. Sending warmth and affection back your way dear friend across the miles! 🙂
This was great Penny ~ so reminiscent of my next post too…maybe tonight will get it up. I agree – always a choice and for us to choose! Love to you dearest one ~ RL
Thank you very much Robyn, I do look forward to your next post. Much love and affection, always, your way also, Penny xx
A great choice to make!
I enjoyed the song. This version is quite calming.
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
I agree on both things Rosy. Isn’t the music wonderful though? Very peaceful and soothing! Thanks my friend, especially for the smiles and hugs, I find I am ever in need of those! 🙂 xxoxx
I do like the quotes you put on. I never did history at school and don’t know many quotes.
Quotes are to me like rain drops, each one nourishes just a little bit! 🙂
🙂
When I started to delve into Eastern cultures, began meditating and practicing mindfulness, I felt a shift in my being, a contentment that I had not experienced before. When we realize that there is an impermanence to everything, I feel it easier to find that elusive contentment. Another great post Penny. Have a lovely weekend my friend. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn, I agree with you on this. Both of you have tons of fun in the sun (?) Penny 🙂 xx
Yes, in the sun. How about up north where you are?
Tri-cities (Kennewick – Pasco – Richland) a couple of hours straight down from Spokane. The lower southeastern part of Washington!
Very good post! i liked how you staring with the Dale Carnegie,Socrates and Lao Tzu sentences and continue with yourself about their opinions. I think that is a good point of view to practice as society, a society that want more, more and more and is not happy
There is nothing better than getting into bed feeling peaceful and contented knowing the satisfaction of having completed a day without stress or giving stress to others.
And how do we recognize that contentment? Probably because we have experienced the opposite feeling and know its pain. 😦
Kahlil Gibran said: ‘Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.’
It seems that great minds do indeed think alike.
They do indeed! All extremely wise thoughts from men of such varied backgrounds. Thank you for your comments, much appreciated dear friend. 🙂
Well, of course I love the song and video – very close to my heart but even more so, the truth in this post is what’s important. Choose, each day, to be happy and content.
Thank you so much. It always does seem to come down to choices doesn’t it? The hard part for us humans!
It’s funny how simple it is, isn’t it?!
I wish you a wonderful weekend too, my friend!
xxxxx
🙂