A simple life?

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Contentment

When was the last time you met someone who was truly content and at peace with the world? There are many such people! They usually got the wisdom to be that way by learning from the experiences of an active spiritual life. They discovered a sense of inner peace and contentment through their walk with God. But many folks eat their hearts out, suffering from the contagious "If Only" disease. Its germs infect every slice of life.

If only I had more money
If only I could make better grades
If only we owned a nicer home
If only we hadn't made that bad investment
If only I hadn't come from such a bad background
If only she would have stayed married to me
If only our pastor were a stronger preacher
If only my child were able to walk
If only we would have children
If only we didn't have children
If only the business could have succeeded
If only my husband hadn't died so young
If only I would've said "No" to drugs
If only they had given me a break
If only I hadn't had that accident
If only we could get back on our feet
If only he would ask me out
If only people would accept me as I am
If only my folks hadn't divorced
If only I had more friends

The list is endless. Woven through the fabric of all those words is an attitude that comes from the simple choice to see the negative side of life, the choice to be unhappy about almost everything that happens. Taken far enough, it leads to the dead-end street of self-pity - one of the most distasteful and inexcusable of all attitudes. Contentment , on the other hand, comes from another one of those simple choices, one that doesn't allow ourselves or others to listen to our list of woes. We simple choose to create a different kind of list - a positive one - for if we don't, people won't stay around us very long. Discontented souls soon become lonely souls.

- Charles Swindoll
Active Spirituality