The Discipline of Being Content
This is a blog post that I’ve had in the works for a while. The concept came to me a few months ago when I was reflecting on 2020 and realized how much my discipline has impacted my spiritual practice and overall wellbeing. Being content is not necessarily something I actively strive for through my spiritual practice but rather a byproduct of staying consistent with my practices.
For me being content is not about being happy all the time or loving every aspect of my life. Being content is a practice that roots me in the present moment. It is about not running, seeking, or constantly trying to get somewhere else. I’ve been thinking a lot about this idea of how it exhausting it is to always be seeking more in life. When is it ever enough?
It’s not easy to get to a place where you feel content in life. Especially with a Capitalist-run society, that has us always craving more, I constantly asking myself: do I really want this or do I think I want this? 2020 was a year that many found extremely difficult to feel content. With all of the unease, unrest, and chaos in the external world, it felt like a full time job to work to find some sort of contentment in my life.
That’s where the discipline comes in.
When things get tough, what brings you back to your center?
For me my practices include journaling, meditation, movement, and community. I prioritize these things every single day. And if I ever fall off the wagon, I try to get back on as quick as possible. I know that these practices (and a few more) ground me into the present moment, make me feel my best, and are in alignment with my priorities.
Meditation helps me to recognize the present moment. Journaling helps me to sift through the things going on in my brain so I can feel more clear. Movement helps me to move through stuck emotions and energy. Community helps me to feel less alone. All of these things help me to be objective rather than subjective to what’s going on in my life. They bring greater clarity and perspective and that, in result, helps me to be content.
When I feel content, there is a sense of ease and acknowledgement of where I’m at. It’s like, oh, this is my life and I’m going to accept that. I might not be happy about everything but I’m going to choose to focus on the things I am grateful for and try to move towards more alignment in those areas that don’t feel so good to me.
Feeling content is not easy and it’s also not always possible. It’s hard work to get to a place where you are able to accept the things put in your path. “Doing the work” isn’t easy. Diving deep into understanding yourself, your shadows, your trauma, and becoming self aware enough to even begin to find this acceptance is hard work.
It’s hard but not impossible. And even if it seems daunting and scary to begin “the work,” life becomes so much more vibrant when you begin to prioritize gratitude and are able to find acceptance in yourself and your life no matter what it looks like. If anything, I hope I can inspire you, not scare you, to embark or continue on this path.
As much as we want to, we will never be able to control the external world or the things that happen in our lives. What we can do is shift our perspective and how we react to these things. For me, finding daily practices remind me each day of how abundant my life is. There is so much to be grateful for. Some days may feel easier than others but there is always something to be grateful for.