Welcome to Day 1 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be… Or…simply: Be…
Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and
in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you’d like
to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here.
Be…Content
Contentment. [sigh] Does your heart yearn for it?
We live in this fast-paced world where every single media outlet teases and tantalizes us. They enthusiastically spread the message of discontent.
We hear…our bodies are too fat or flabby…about the must-have features of the latest phone…that we need to be on Facebook and Linked-In and Twitter and Pinterest and Google+ and HomeTalk or we’ll be social media zeroes.
We walk into Macy’s or Dollar Tree or Wegman’s or Walmart or Tarjay and we see this perfect “whatever” for our feet or wrist or our home or table.
And after a day of this….where do we find ourselves?
Often…thinking poorly of ourselves and thinking we need a few perfect “whatevers” to make us look and feel good and we kill ourselves trying to do all and be all to fit the perceived mold of the world.
Be…Content
“Easy for you to say.”
Actually…I learned about contentment/discontentment the hard way. I drank the Kool-aid. I discovered all that striving, for things I mentioned, leaves a person totally discontent. Are you in that place?
We will be discussing contentment each Tuesday for this 31 Extraordinary Days to Be… series. So today, I am going to leave you with the biggest, the most defining thing I did to move from discontent to content.
One day I choose to be content.
Nothing magical happened that day.
I still saw all the things around me that I wanted, or thought I needed to do, to be beautiful or successful or make a lovely home.
But….I realized that all of that was a lie. A BIG fat uuuugggglllyy LIE.
You too can choose to be content.
The first step in any life change is the decision we make to turn away from our habits or mindset.
So today…
Speak out loud. Let your mind hear you say: “I am content.”
If you are a part of western culture, a re-wiring of sorts needs to take place in your mind. That’s why it is so important to say it out loud, “I am content.” And say it again, multiple times throughout the day.
This is Day 1 in our Be… #31Days series.
It would have been more fun for both of us if I would have shared a fun craft, or vignette, or table setting. But, frankly, once I pretty much settled this contentment issue, my creativity bloomed and I liked my house much better. So…maybe it is a good thing this comes first.
Did you notice I said, “pretty much?” Yeah. I haven’t arrived. I still struggle. I visit the very things I first mentioned. But, I don’t camp there anymore. And that is a very big and wonderful thing. We all get a chance to choose. And that decision is the beginning to freedom and contentment.
If you’ve discovered how to be content, please share your story or tips!!
We are in this together!
Be content my friends!
~Diane
I hope you’ll consider visiting each day during this 31-day series. And if you’re a writer, you too can take part with the 31 dayers.
All the posts in the series will be added to this page each day of October.
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What a wonderful adventure this will be as we journey together to Be…
i love this topic and look forward to a whole month of concentrating on contentment. i don’t have any tips or discoveries to share except nuturing a spirit of gratitude through scripture reading, prayer and accountability to a select few friends. my biggest struggle is being content (or i should say discontented) with what i am able to accomplish in a day. i always feel like i am racing against the clock and coming in dead last at day’s end. looking forward to reading other commments on this one!
It’s a topic we all struggle with, Suzi. But….we will only be talking about it on Tuesdays in October. Each day of the week there is a different topic under the heading of Be… Hope you’re okay with that. 😉
Love that you started out with contentment!!! I think a lot of times non-Christians (and Christians alike) hear about our call to “be content in all circumstances” and read it as “be HAPPY in all circumstances.” They key difference here is that the two are not synonyms. We can ALWAYS be content as Christians. Because we have SALVATION. We have JESUS! In our hearts at that! His resurrection power living IN US! So when the worst of the worst happens in our lives…whatever that is or may be…we don’t have to be happy about it. But we do choose content. Just like you said. Because we are children of God. And he will never forsake us. 🙂
Cheers girlie! Thanks for sharing your heart. xx
Sweet Elise….Thank you so much for your encouraging and wise words on contentment. You are right on the money gal. 🙂
Blessings!
~Diane
I too liked this topic. Today was a hard day of testing. As I struggled to answer some things but easily answered others I found myself in the midst of discontentment. If I do well, the dr does not realize my struggles. If I do poorly I am embarrassed and frustrated and cried. So I was not content with either place!! Reading this made my eyes open to contentment being more than about stuff or having grandkids. It can be about me being able to or not able to do what I used to. As my cousin said, Gwen, you have not learned to be content with the new Gwen. You only compare yourself to the old Gwen and that’s not really fair.
So God can give me, and especially in my fuzzy world, He’s showing me, and at times I get it, contentment with what I can do right now. This is hard. I used to be so smart. Be content Gwen. You can write sometimes. I used to make change in my head. Be content Gwen. This does not really matter. I want to go outside alone. Gwen that is unwise. You may end up worse than you are now. Be content. I’m tired of three to four doctor visits and nothing is accomplished. No one sees the big picture but the doctor who left to help returning military with injuries such as I. I want him back! No one sees how it is!! I see Gwen. I am looking over you. Didn’t I restart your heart and didn’t I give you a good strong heart in all tests? Be content. I get confused and no one understands me and I’m sooo sad. Be not dismayed whate’re betide, I will take care of you Gwen. Be content knowing I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be content. Live in this moment. Not the past. Not the future. Right now and be content. Yes Lord. I hear Your Voice calling to me.
Gwen, I can not feel your pain or know what is going on. I do however, understand the part if you do well the dr. will not see your struggles. I take it you have military injuries? I will pray for you and I will listen to you via email. You are one of God’s chosen, you are beautiful because he made you. The dr. is the human part of getting you well, lets pray and let God be your salvation and spiritual healer. Dear God, left Gwen up in your arms and give rest, peace, comfort. Protect and guide, hear the cries and heal. Thank you God Jesus, amen
Jo…Thanks for encouraging and praying for our sweet friend. 🙂
(((( Gwen ))))) It’s hard. And it’s okay to grieve the loss of what was– Bit by bit you’ll come to embrace and be content with the Gwen you are today. We’re praying for you!
Thank you Mel for encouraging and praying for dear Gwen. 🙂
Dear Gwen, I too join in praying for you during your adjustment to this stage in your life. At my senior age, if I’ve learned one thing, it is that life is one stage, then another, then another. Just like the life of a very small child–she will go thro’ one stage, then another & yet another…until the day Her Father takes her to Himself. We love the baby stage she is in so much…but she cannot remain there forever…she must go on to the next one. We learn that this new stage has its charms as well. How exciting to see her first tooth, her crawl & then her first unsteady steps. Each stage has its pluses & minuses.
With my own physical limitations (painful arthritis in my thumb joints) I’m to focus not on what I no longer can do (lift heavy roasters & stewpots & even the larger grandchildren) but the fact I still have feeling in my hands & can do my hair & face. I can still do crafts, sew & hold books & magazines. I am grateful to the medical profession for the wisdom God has given them to create medications to help our aches & pains, to the others who create hand braces or stretchy fingerless gloves to wear when it just hurts too much. And I thank God He knows just how much I can stand. He is All-Present w/even me, tho’ I am no one to this world, I am His beloved daughter! And He cares for me; just as He deeply cares for you, Gwen! You are very special & precious to Him. He has your back during this stage of your journey & He is limiting your activities & so on to limit expectations of you. Trust Him & see what He is up to in your behalf! It is something good! The situation may not seem good, but God’s plans for us are always good because they bring us nearer to Him. Let Him be your memory, your Strength & your song. Praying for showers of blessings on you, Gwen.
Thank you Carolyn for taking the time to lovingly encourage Gwen. 🙂
“Be content knowing I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be content. Live in this moment. Not the past. Not the future. Right now and be content. Yes Lord. I hear Your Voice calling to me.”
Gwen…I just want to give an Amen to the words God spoke into your heart and your response.
Keeping you in my daily prayers….
[hugs] Diane
As one who moaned and groaned and whined and carried on (and still does..LOL) cuz life wasn’t going the way *I* planned….. (I’m sure the Big Guy is laughing as I put that in black and white!) I knew it was about my worth and value in G-d’s eyes…and obviously I’d done enough dumb things to fall out of His favor. Content?! Pfffffftttttt. Wasn’t happenin’.
I know it begins with a choice. I also know I’m one of those who (for some reason!!) just has to “run it til the wheels fall off” and I’m utterly broken before I actually get willing to take responsibility for my own miserableness and CHOOSE DIFFERENT.
But I agree. It’s a simple choice–note I said simple and not necessarily ‘easy’.
And sometimes the best thing I can do is ‘act as if’……and let the rest follow.
Simple…yes. Easy…no. And yes…this I know. So many things I’ve learned the ‘hard’ way.
You know…I’ve heard the phrase, “Fake it ’til you make it.” I used to think that was living a lie. But…in reality…many times it helps us get to where we want to be…sort of like practicing. Isn’t God patient with us?
Dear Diane, Reading this reminds me of the verse “Godliness w/contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6 KJV) And what should be our very best goal of all in this life…godliness! For w/o it we shall never see God…& oh, I do want to see Him & live w/Him forevermore! More the older I get. So many loved ones “over there”!
Thanks so much for reminding us.
Another verse that has been going around in my head: “Be content w/such things as ye have” or “Be content w/what you have” (Heb 13:5, KJV & NIV)
May we all be blessed in an abundance of contentment!
Oh Carolyn…I do appreciate those scripture reminders. I have been contemplating the direction for the contentment posts for the coming weeks and appreciate seeing which verses resonate with you. Thank you my friend.
p.s. Did you get an e-mail from me? Please check your inbox.
Wonderful series Diane. This is a message that we all could use and put into practice. I am late getting around here but I will be sure and read each and every one.
I am content!
Blessings, Ginger
Ginger…you just put a big smile on my face. Thank you so much for your warm and encouraging thoughts!
Hope your day has been Extraordinary!
~Diane
and be thankful; have a good Saturday
http://myblog-lunchbreak.blogspot.com/2013/10/1294.html
much love…
Ah…yes! Absolutely be thankful!!! Contentment comes from thankfulness. 🙂
Thank you Gillena for popping by and leaving your thoughtful words.
Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
Thanks to all for your sharing. Diane’s message and everyone else’s thoughts brought together what was needed. Found this when looking for how to encourage others. It so starts with acceptance and contentment to be able to offer encouragement. I look forward to the next message to le to a better being.
Awww… you are so welcome, Joy! I’m delighted that you found it encouraging and helpful.
The series is complete… but here is a link to all the articles so you can enjoy reading them: https://anextraordinaryday.net/31-extraordinary-days-to-be/
Thanks for taking time to say, Hi!
Wishing you an extraordinary day! <3
Will you also be doing this in November?
I’m sorry Syliva I won’t be doing this in November. I’m glad you joined in and enjoyed the series.
All the best for an extraordinary holiday!