To Be Content Or Not To Be.

[arakboss]

Overall I am content with my life. I am sure it could use a few tweaks here and there but, I have a pretty great life, just the way it is.

How is everybody else doing out there?

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[Andy54Hawken]

To be content or not to be...
That is the question.
Whether tis nobler in the mind to be satisfied with you and what you are....
As well as what you have.

Or....To get lost in the pursuit of something , risking losing sight of the actual goal...
Missing the enjoyment of the moment....
Landing upon that grass on the other side of the fence , only to find that the weeds are the same...
Only hidden differently.

We are the sum of our experiences...
They shape our outlooks , views and to an extent blaze a path towards future choices.
However...
We also do not have to be defined by our experiences or past choices.
Other folks label and often "put people into boxes"...
You do not have to do that to yourself.

Often we forge the very chains that restrict our lives.
We have the key to that lock...
The trick is to have the courage to use it.

Speaking only for myself here....
I am content with who I am...what I have done...and what I have.
I strive to not harm anyone....and not make the same mistakes over and over.
What I have I own and enjoy....but those items do not own me.

Please note that the above is not meant as ...
Don't move forward / better yourself / etc....

It is meant to be read as take that chance....move forward.....just don't lose what you have or have gained...
Along the way.
Andy

Edit to add...
Something to consider doing is....
Asking yourself from time to time :
Is what I am doing....is it helpful or harmful...?
What I own...does it have a use...provide enjoyment...?
The answers to the above may or may not help with contentment.

 

[orygun]

I will be much more content when we leave this state, which is something I never thought I would ever want to do. The madness is apparently unstoppable and I'm not going to support it with my tax dollars.
Other than that, life is better than just "good".

 

[Stomper]

To be content or not to be...
That is the question.
Whether tis nobler in the mind to be satisfied with you and what you are....
As well as what you have.

Or....To get lost in the pursuit of something , risking losing sight of the actual goal...
Missing the enjoyment of the moment....
Landing upon that grass on the other side of the fence , only to find that the weeds are the same...
Only hidden differently.

We are the sum of our experiences...
They shape our outlooks , views and to an extent blaze a path towards future choices.
However...
We also do not have to be defined by our experiences or past choices.
Other folks label and often "put people into boxes"...
You do not have to do that to yourself.

Often we forge the very chains that restrict our lives.
We have the key to that lock...
The trick is to have the courage to use it.

Speaking only for myself here....
I am content with who I am...what I have done...and what I have.
I strive to not harm anyone....and not make the same mistakes over and over.
What I have I own and enjoy....but those items do not own me.

Please note that the above is not meant as ...
Don't move forward / better yourself / etc....

It is meant to be read as take that chance....move forward.....just don't lose what you have or have gained...
Along the way.
Andy

Edit to add...
Something to consider doing is....
Asking yourself from time to time :
Is what I am doing....is it helpful or harmful...?
What I own...does it have a use...provide enjoyment...?
The answers to the above may or may not help with contentment.

Know yourself, know your "subordinates"/associates, and ALWAYS seek self-improvement.

 

[arakboss]

He built his towers, vast and tall,
And watched them rise above all.
He mastered the sword, the ship, the quill,
Yet in his heart, there was a chill.
He sought for love in every glance,
A fleeting thrill, a fleeting chance.
He gathered wealth, a shining hoard,
But found no solace in the lord.
He yearned for knowledge, deep and wide,
Then found more questions to confide.
Each prize he won, each goal attained,
A sharper hunger was sustained.
He chases phantoms, bright and bold,
A story always left untold.
A soul adrift, a restless quest,
For in this life, he cannot rest.

Source: AI generated.

 

[Bobbygun]

My wife and I both grew up poor (but not poorly), so we feel like we are rich even though many folks wouldn't see it that way. We are debt free, which makes life a whole lot easier. We've lived in the same old house for the last 33 years and hope to stay here much longer (assuming we can stomach the politics in this state). We don't try to keep up with the Joneses and don't compare ourselves to others. We tend to keep things simple, and the simple pleasures are often the best. We love the outdoors.

I really can relate to the saying: "Keep your circle small, and your beer cold."

 

[nwslopoke]

Content vs in a rut?

A lot of us get tunnel vision doing our daily routine of paying bills and being responsible adults. We reward ourselves with hobbies like shooting. But, IMO, we can lose sight of what we have at our fingertips. Anything and everything.

Our current situation is too precious to risk. Sometimes, it's not a risk to move up to the next level. Your work has paid off but you don't realize it. So, if you don't move up are you Content or in a rut ?

 

[arakboss]

Content vs in a rut?

A lot of us get tunnel vision doing our daily routine of paying bills and being responsible adults. We reward ourselves with hobbies like shooting. But, IMO, we can lose sight of what we have at our fingertips. Anything and everything.

Our current situation is too precious to risk. Sometimes, it's not a risk to move up to the next level. Your work has paid off but you don't realize it. So, if you don't move up are you Content or in a rut ?

Some people are always chasing the next level. Higher level job, bigger house, better spouse, nicer car, more things, etc, etc, etc. If that's what it takes for them to be happy, then more power to them to pursue those things. It's what makes capitalism work so well. I don't think the endless pursuit of bigger, better and more is required for somebody to be content. I have been wrong before.

 

[Tlock]

Some people are always chasing the next level. Higher level job, bigger house, better spouse, nicer car, more things, etc, etc, etc. If that's what it takes for them to be happy, then more power to them to pursue those things. It's what makes capitalism work so well. I don't think the endless pursuit of bigger, better and more is required for somebody to be content. I have been wrong before.

Its called "keeping up with the Jones" i personally dont do it. To each their own

 

[nwslopoke]

Some people are always chasing the next level. Higher level job, bigger house, better spouse, nicer car, more things, etc, etc, etc. If that's what it takes for them to be happy, then more power to them to pursue those things. It's what makes capitalism work so well. I don't think the endless pursuit of bigger, better and more is required for somebody to be content. I have been wrong before.

Not saying that is wrong, but the US has a lot of experiences to offer along with the mess we are currently in.

Mt Rushmore is a monument but the community around it is also amazing. Who would have thought Columbus, Ohio and the area around that had so much to offer? I didn't, but that's not following anyone or showing off. That's just a little trip here and a little trip there to see America. And to see how much people away from the coast show their appreciation for the country.

Those little excursions over time did not hurt my bottom line or 401k. I didn't squeeze them in over a 6 month period. But those snapshots are something to reflect on and expand my peripheral vision into America and the world.

 

[Medic!]

Most folks are as happy as they make up there minds to be.

 

[monkeybutler]

Know yourself, know your "subordinates"/associates, and ALWAYS seek self-improvement.

Yeah, content in the moment, but always adapting. I'm planning career pivot #3 at the moment.

 

[roseburger]

Content vs in a rut?

I'm always in the rut. Oh different rut

 

[orygun]

My wife and I both grew up poor (but not poorly), so we feel like we are rich even though many folks wouldn't see it that way. We are debt free, which makes life a whole lot easier. We've lived in the same old house for the last 33 years and hope to stay here much longer (assuming we can stomach the politics in this state). We don't try to keep up with the Joneses and don't compare ourselves to others. We tend to keep things simple, and the simple pleasures are often the best. We love the outdoors.

I really can relate to the saying: "Keep your circle small, and your beer cold."

House is paid off. Been in this house almost 39. If the politics in this state weren't so F-ed up, I'd never leave.

 

[1775usmc]

I'm content.

I'm not complacent.

With that said I'm beyond blessed in this life.

 

[OrPackrat]

Not quite yet, have a number of material goods to add before I'm good for a month or so...

Latest new toy/work machine, an ATV. Got some lever actions, bolt actions, and carbine to add as well as some wheel guns.

Im always getting new ideas so I keep building and buying, perhaps its the ADHD... Im always doing something...

 

[P7M13]

Contentment? Pah! That's what guns are for.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the firepower to make the difference.

 

[rhollister71]

very content and blessed. if thats a good word since not all to religious but still feel blessed.

going to be celebrating 30 years of marriage on the 30th, been in this wheelchair 29 of them.
have 2 wonderful adult kids 3 awesome grand babes. own most of my home and i woke up this morning so yeah i am pretty Content. alway looking to better myself and family!!

 

[foxmeadow]

35 years in the same double wide that some people don't realize is a double wide. Married 49 years to the woman who only gets better with age. Debt free, other than usual monthly bills. Kids grown and doing all right, circle of friends small but really close. I'm pretty content...

 

[red442joe]

He built his towers, vast and tall,
And watched them rise above all.
He mastered the sword, the ship, the quill,
Yet in his heart, there was a chill.
He sought for love in every glance,
A fleeting thrill, a fleeting chance.
He gathered wealth, a shining hoard,
But found no solace in the lord.
He yearned for knowledge, deep and wide,
Then found more questions to confide.
Each prize he won, each goal attained,
A sharper hunger was sustained.
He chases phantoms, bright and bold,
A story always left untold.
A soul adrift, a restless quest,
For in this life, he cannot rest.

Source: AI generated.

"It's not success if you don't have someone to share it with"
Shorsey

Joe