My Sunny Side: Contentment
I’ve decided to try a new feature in my blog: Sunny Side Up (I actually like over medium eggs lol) me trying to be my funny, sarcastic, positive, uplifting, grateful, off the wall self! I am going to show my positive side. My life is not all doom and gloom, And WovenEclipse helped me see that. So, thank you Rebecca!
Last year at this time I was in a loveless alcoholic and abusive relationship. My life was pure misery and chaos. And, although I had all kinds of things: a kickass car (repossessed), beautiful watches (sold for booze), furnishings (sold by the ex), etc. I was far from content.
Fast forward to today. Today I have very little in my life, I am in a residential treatment program, and I am jobless, homeless and penniless. Yet, I am content! I have my sobriety. I am free from the destruction of daily alcoholism and misery. I have my health. I just passed 300 “followers” this morning (I wish more of you all would share your comments, for they sustain me), and your presence in my life fills me with contentment!
In these days of rushing and getting and spending, look to contentment, in whatever form that can take for you! I have previously written about gratitude, but gratitude differs greatly from contentment:
“While gratitude is a measure of our perspective on the things we already have, contentment is a measure of our perspective on the things we don’t have. It’s being able to say we want nothing more no matter how much or little we have.”
Look to your lives and be content. There is always someone worse off than you, but I know that this attitude doesn’t come easy; Lord knows I’ve struggled to feel it. I know it can be difficult, but if you try you will see that you probably have much more to be content about what you do have. Or at least find peace with what you don’t have. When I lost everything I was devastated.
But as I progress in my healing I have found everything I truly need. I can only wear so many clothes at once. I only need a few toiletries to stay beautiful (hahaha). “Stuff” are just trappings we surround ourselves with to convince ourselves we are doing well, feeling well.
I used to complain a lot. A lot. Now, I find my attitude filling with grace and humility little by slow. And, although sometimes I get lonely, I know that friends are never far when I come into this wonderful community. I am content with the friendships I have made and the wonderful love and support you show me here each and everyday.
Please, take a moment today and reflect on your contentment. You will be amazed at how much of it you can feel if you just stop feeling like you don’t have, and focus on what you do have!
I loved reading this! Contentment is definitely something to hold on to, even if it’s only a little. I tend to live my life in a similar way, focusing on the positives and drawing out the good every situation. Keep up the positivity! It’ll help you, and is helping you, and will sustain you through the hardest of days. I’ll be thinking of you.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed it
I just did. And I have …
Outstanding
I know what you mean. I think the happiest my wife and I are is when we have the least. It is easier to enjoy life when there is less to distract you from it. Stuff is nice and pretty to look at but it doesn’t really bring any happiness it usually brings you further from it. Keep thinking positive my brother you are on the right path.
Thank you and keep the faith
That is a fantastic outlook. I’m going to enjoy getting to know you, Rob!
That’s so sweet. My sunny sides up will help lol
You have a new life ahead of you. Keep writing…especially the heart felt poetry. It is healing for you and for others too.
Thank you Maria! It means everything for you to suggest that my writing might help someone else. I can’t think of a higher compliment so many thanks!
Yes, you are helping me too. Keep walking to good road.
Thank you ever so much! Made my morning
😊
I have some poems that I wrote about PTSD and divorce. You gave me courage to go forward and post. When I do I will let you know so I can get your opinion.
Post everything. Give it away. Let your writing take you places you thought you could never go. As you can see I put it ALL out there. It has no business being kept under lock and key
I will try. Keep going Rob. You and all the Vets give me courage. I know quite a few myself. Tell them that I care. Women care…we don’t often tell you men that. So I am saying for the ones who don’t or can’t. We are all in it together. Thank you.
Wonderful thank you for saying it
Well said.
😀
Love this post. We should all strive to look at our lives from this perspective. Thanks for sharing, rob! 😊
You’re welcome Phoebe. Thanks for you and always being there