Well? Are you satisfied with the situation you find yourself in? Are you happy?
Just wondering. I’ve been out of caffeine all day, it’s night, I’m sitting in darkness, and my thoughts are a bit morbid. It occured to me that I really don’t know anyone that can say they are truly content with what their life has brought them. Not exactly a comforting though. Hopefully someone will be here to brighten my outlook.
All things considered, I’m not too shabby. I’ve never found my true niche, never had that knowledge that “Yeah, I HAVE to do THIS ONE THING which makes me happy,” but I enjoy, overall, doing what it is which pays my rent. I love my wife, and she loves me.
I’m content, but not ideally happy. Few people are. I’ve known few in my life who were, if any at all. But I accept it as, well, acceptable, until I find my calling, if I ever do…
hrh
I’m in the reverse situation to hrh. I’m very clear on what my niche is but I feel like I’m not achieving my goals. I’m definitely not content and spend very little time happy. I think I expect a lot: I really want a perfect life.
I’m very happy. Is that the same as content? I don’t think so - I have a lot I intend to do, I just haven’t done it yet. 
I think that’s the right situation to be: happy with myself, but not willing to rest on laurels or whatever. Not that I have so many laurels or anything at 21, but you get the idea.
Hm…Well, I’ve gone through some rough times recently - but I’ve had so many people to support me through it all that I consider myself truly blessed. I have many things I want to accomplish/see/do before I die, but if I allow those things to torture me then I think that would be putting a blight on the present moment that I’m in - and that would be unfortunate. (I’m trying not to do that these days. I’ll let you know how it goes!) Maybe contentedness has to do with just being. Not to sound like a bloody Calvin Klein ad…geesh. What I mean is, see the beauty in the everyday, the mundane. Beauty is all around you. And there is goodness to be found in people and situations. Honestly. (Gracious, where is this Pollyanna streak coming from??) Try not to make happiness an unobtainable goal that is always off in the unforeseeable future. Why not right now? Get yourself some caffeine. Kick back and enjoy. You’re alive and there’s always a tomorrow.
Shana
Yes, without a doubt. I have my degrees, I have a good job and I owe no money. More importantly, I have a great bunch of friends who I desparately love despite their faults and despite mine. I’m less close to my family, but at least we’re at peace. I like the way I look and I like who I am.
As a byproduct of the above – or perhaps a contributor on its own – even the smallest things make me happy. The sun setting as I’m driving west on the freeway. Hearing new music for the first time. The look of concentration on a bus driver’s face as she turns the corner. The smile I cop from the the checkout guy. The pleasing shape of well-made furniture. The taste of red wine. Rain.
These small, insigificant, important things are enough to make me grin like a complete idiot. Why do the colours of the sun look so good as it sets through the clouds? How extraordinary is it that people thousands of miles away from me have the creative spark to create music that is funneled through an amazing process of writing, recording, engineering, producing, marketing and mass distribution to reach my ears? What is the bus driver thinking of as she steers an enormous mass of steel and glass along the road, a tiny part of a gargantuan system of asphalt and tarmac criss-crossing this nation. Does she ever think about the wonder of delivering complete strangers to their unknown homes and unknown lives, strangers with stories and families and joys and sadnesses as real as yours and mine? Who made the wine I’m tasting? Who agonized for weeks over the precise mix of grape varieties to create the specific blend? How did humans pass down the process of making wine through untold years of civilisation? What happiness is the checkout guy thinking about to make him smile? Dinner waiting for him at home? Sex? Love?
Most of all, what twist of fate meant that me, one amongst billions of others like me walking a single lonely planet in a incomprehensibly large universe full of stars should be so fucking lucky to wonder about all these things in a single day?
So I’m happy.
Narrad , that made me smile. Thanks.
Yes, as a matter of fact. So much has changed for me in the last year, and all of it good. I met the love of my life, got married, and bought a house – three things I was sure would never happen. I’m in good health, and my job is enjoyable and (apparently) secure.
Life is good, thanks for asking.
Barry
I’d say “resigned” is more to the point than “content.”
No, I’m Image. You won’t find any Content here
Yes. I’m 41 years old…in good health and feeling personally confident. I have a low stress job that I enjoy very much, a lovely wife at home and two healthy children. My wife is also 21 years old and likes sex as much as I do.
I just found out last night I have about a 95% chance of getting laid off in the next two weeks. I have two kids in high school, a mortgage, and a wife who’s been out of work for the past 17 months, so, no, not content.
No.
What he said.
I don’t know. And frankly, I refuse to think about it. That could get depressing.
well considering that when I’m not busy being happy so I can avoid getting ridiculously terrified of death, I think I’d have to say yes.
bah, forget that, made no sense, except before I typed it.
Short answer, yes.
Pretty close:
I live where I want.
Happily married.
Own my own home (well, me and the bank).
Good health and in shape.
Have friends.
Job is not want I want, but I have it.
Wife’s career is great.
I have several hobbies that I really enjoy.
I have a little money in the bank.
Both cars are paid off.
I have a great cat.
So not much to complain about here. But I got it all after some pretty low times. Luck, hard work and some solid decisions paid off. I may never be rich, but we are doing ok.
I am a true believer that contentment and happiness are within. Lets face it life is full of trials and tribulations. One minute you think my life is great the next a number of things can happen that completely counter all the good yesterday brought.
Life is not the bane of consistency but attitude can make all the difference in the world. You don’t always have a choice in the cards you’re dealt but you can decide on how you’re going to play the game.
Content? No, never - but isn’t discontent the whole point…if you are discontented, then you are hoping, or striving, towards something better, and in doing so, you are happy (though you may not realise it).
In my view, contentment equals resignation equals stagnation equals death.
Happiness and hopefulness are the same thing for me, anyway.