CONTENTMENT
Today I had to go visit a client who is detained in a jail 2 hours away from where I have my office. Prior to going to see him, I had a conversation with my wife about happiness and satisfaction in life or, just plain old fashion, contentment. So, as I was driving to my destination, I started thinking deeper about our conversation and the topic of contentment. Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and satisfaction. Therefore, I started asking myself, why is it that at times I feel that I am not content with my life? Although, from the outside looking in, it appears to the average observer, that I have it all. After all, I have perfect health, a fabulous wife, children, profession, house, cars, etc... And the deeper I got into my thinking of contentment, I concluded that if I were to ask individuals whether or not they were content with their lives, the super majority , if not all, would say that they are not. To supplement my quest, as soon as I returned home, I asked my wife who happens to have several degrees, if I were to ask individuals the aforementioned question about whether or not they were content in life, what does she think their answer would be and, she agreed with my hypothesis. If you really think about it, I must be on to something because the pursuit of happiness, is one of the unalienable rights expressed in our constitution.
I don't believe that happiness, as the Brazilian poet Vinicius de Maraes put it, is "like a feather flying in the air. It flies light, but not for very long." Because I truly believe that happiness comes from within, but it is worth exploring. So that is exactly what I did. Who we are today, is a microcosm of what we were taught as little ones. I am not a sociologist or a psychologist, just an enlightened person with life experience. Although, I sometimes feel I can be a psychologist from dealing with my clients as an attorney and attempting to counsel them on their chooses and behaviors. However, as I see it, schools play an important role in why most individuals are not content with aspects of their lives. You see, as youngsters, in elementary school, we were taught by unenlightened teachers that you need to go to school because it is a legal requirement and it will eventually help us get a better job. I don't remember any mention about going to school because you, (the student should enjoy learning). Our parents pretty much reiterated the same message. Please don't be upset with your parents because they too were taught the same way. In other words, we learned to go to school at such a young age not because we want to go but because of external conditions. In high school, it was the same message with the exception that we were encouraged to play sports. Again, we were not taught to truly enjoy school and learn as much as we can but rather that you must go to school because it was the law and it will help you get a better job. Part of my criticism at this stage in a person's development is that emphasis was placed on external conditions and physical fitness but, the power of the mind was neglected. I don't ever remember going to a mind class or the power of the mind studies. But, I do remember gym class and other boring classes. You would think that as we evolve, that today things would be different but, I hate to say they seem to be worse. Just look at what is going on with school closures all over the country using the current Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse. And throw in who really is controlling the curriculums such as the teacher's unions and you can see what I'm referring to. Then, when the student goes off to college the same messages apply. Students seem to want to go to one university over another not necessarily because they really want to learn but because it will help them get a better job. And then, when we decide on a career, the message is the same. Our choices may not really be what we truly want to do but rather driven by the amount of money we can make. So it's no surprise that in adulthood so many are not content with their lives.
I am not saying that children should not be going to school. I'm just bringing to light the possibility that society has it all wrong when it comes to guiding children who eventually grow up to become the dissatisfied majority. Children should be encouraged to love to learn and to do and be whatever they love to do or be. This will lead to satisfaction and success as adults. The way I see it, success comes from within. Some erroneously think that money and titles will lead to success but they have it all wrong. Being successful and happy comes from within and in turn, it will be reflected on the choices you make. This alone will lead to success. I know countless professionals that are dissatisfied with their chosen careers and life in general. We all know individuals whether in public or private that appear to have it all but are miserable. I believe more attention has to be placed within for happiness. I believe, that we can all make the changes that we need to make to be where we want to be, through the power of our mind. So once you read this article, blaming teachers or how you were raised should be forever buried and forgotten because you and only you can create your happiness through the power of your thinking. It is never to late! Once you discover this power, your life will take on an entire new meaning. Everything you do from this point on will have a purpose. Contentment will then be the rule instead of the exception. I leave you with a quote on point by Dale Carnegie. "It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it."
Just a thought.
I don't believe that happiness, as the Brazilian poet Vinicius de Maraes put it, is "like a feather flying in the air. It flies light, but not for very long." Because I truly believe that happiness comes from within, but it is worth exploring. So that is exactly what I did. Who we are today, is a microcosm of what we were taught as little ones. I am not a sociologist or a psychologist, just an enlightened person with life experience. Although, I sometimes feel I can be a psychologist from dealing with my clients as an attorney and attempting to counsel them on their chooses and behaviors. However, as I see it, schools play an important role in why most individuals are not content with aspects of their lives. You see, as youngsters, in elementary school, we were taught by unenlightened teachers that you need to go to school because it is a legal requirement and it will eventually help us get a better job. I don't remember any mention about going to school because you, (the student should enjoy learning). Our parents pretty much reiterated the same message. Please don't be upset with your parents because they too were taught the same way. In other words, we learned to go to school at such a young age not because we want to go but because of external conditions. In high school, it was the same message with the exception that we were encouraged to play sports. Again, we were not taught to truly enjoy school and learn as much as we can but rather that you must go to school because it was the law and it will help you get a better job. Part of my criticism at this stage in a person's development is that emphasis was placed on external conditions and physical fitness but, the power of the mind was neglected. I don't ever remember going to a mind class or the power of the mind studies. But, I do remember gym class and other boring classes. You would think that as we evolve, that today things would be different but, I hate to say they seem to be worse. Just look at what is going on with school closures all over the country using the current Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse. And throw in who really is controlling the curriculums such as the teacher's unions and you can see what I'm referring to. Then, when the student goes off to college the same messages apply. Students seem to want to go to one university over another not necessarily because they really want to learn but because it will help them get a better job. And then, when we decide on a career, the message is the same. Our choices may not really be what we truly want to do but rather driven by the amount of money we can make. So it's no surprise that in adulthood so many are not content with their lives.
I am not saying that children should not be going to school. I'm just bringing to light the possibility that society has it all wrong when it comes to guiding children who eventually grow up to become the dissatisfied majority. Children should be encouraged to love to learn and to do and be whatever they love to do or be. This will lead to satisfaction and success as adults. The way I see it, success comes from within. Some erroneously think that money and titles will lead to success but they have it all wrong. Being successful and happy comes from within and in turn, it will be reflected on the choices you make. This alone will lead to success. I know countless professionals that are dissatisfied with their chosen careers and life in general. We all know individuals whether in public or private that appear to have it all but are miserable. I believe more attention has to be placed within for happiness. I believe, that we can all make the changes that we need to make to be where we want to be, through the power of our mind. So once you read this article, blaming teachers or how you were raised should be forever buried and forgotten because you and only you can create your happiness through the power of your thinking. It is never to late! Once you discover this power, your life will take on an entire new meaning. Everything you do from this point on will have a purpose. Contentment will then be the rule instead of the exception. I leave you with a quote on point by Dale Carnegie. "It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it."
Just a thought.