My moments of greatest contentment are at the end of the day when my work is done, my body is tired, my mind feels empty, and my soul find rest. As I nestle in between my cool sheets and fuzzy blanket, I can feel the world melt away as my eyes start to close. It's not frequent that all the factors are present for the perfect storm of contentment, but writing this reflection certainly helps me to ponder ways I can achieve the balance I need for my mind, body, and soul. I also find contentment whe...
My moments of greatest contentment are at the end of the day when my work is done, my body is tired, my mind feels empty, and my soul find rest. As I nestle in between my cool sheets and fuzzy blanket, I can feel the world melt away as my eyes start to close. It’s not frequent that all the factors are present for the perfect storm of contentment, but writing this reflection certainly helps me to ponder ways I can achieve the balance I need for my mind, body, and soul. I also find contentment when my kiddos are acting with love and compassion towards each other and their friends, when my husband falls asleep next to me, when there is a thunderstorm and Mother Nature puts on a tremendous light show, when there is a howling blizzard and I can watch the snow as it falls from the comfort of my home, and watching the bird nest built on top of a downspout where the birds return every year. As I write this, I am struck by how many things I can describe as bringing contentment, but I don’t think I appreciate it so much in the moment. Perhaps something to strive for…being present and open to a moment of contentment.
I feel great contentment when my 6 children (ages 26-11) are all together. I love to just sit and watch them while listening to them interact with one another. That makes my heart happy!
I feel fear contentment when I’m feeling free and conected. This connection can be when I’m helping people, playing, meditating, cleaning, cooking or doing just anything.
I feel great contentment when I’m free in the moment and have no notice of the concept of time.
Beautiful answer, Trevor.
I noticed you haven’t posted since this post about a week ago.
I always am interested in what you have to say. Hope all is well with you Trevor.
Mary
Trevor, I posted a message to you on May 1. Question was about making another person smile. Just hoping that you will get my messages.
Hope you don't think I am some crazy bothering you. I am just a regular married school teacher who teaches art from kindergarten to 5th grade. You seem like a smart and interesting young person who is seeking. I just would like to know how you are.
If you are doing other things I will leave you to your privacy. I know life can be very hard. I just want to ...
Trevor, I posted a message to you on May 1. Question was about making another person smile. Just hoping that you will get my messages.
Hope you don’t think I am some crazy bothering you. I am just a regular married school teacher who teaches art from kindergarten to 5th grade. You seem like a smart and interesting young person who is seeking. I just would like to know how you are.
If you are doing other things I will leave you to your privacy. I know life can be very hard. I just want to let you know that I care.
I wish you peace.
Mary
After making some kind of effort for something worthwhile. For instance after making Easter dinner for the family yesterday. At work when my lesson plans turn into great learning for my students. Other times not to do with doing are the times I am alone or with my family or immediate friends and it is harmonious and joyful.
I’ve always wanted my own sailboat! It must feel amazing to be at the helm out in water where you cannot see the shore. I’ve been on plenty of motorboats in small lakes and rivers. Jet skis near the ocean shore. Been on a cruise but that is like a floating hotel lol. The yacht life beckons me.
I suffer from anxiety that I am well aware I bring on myself. When I can let go of this anxiety and just be at peace in my home, reading or puttering about with my cat beside me, I brim with contentment. The other moment that comes to mind is laughing with a friend.
Yesterday, when my son didn't want to have lunch with us because a friend of his brother was invited to eat with us. I went in his room and told him it was important for me to have HIM with us. He wasn't convinced and told me the friend was going to take his place at the table in order to be able to sit beside the little brother. I promised him to seek another solution, and did so. He didn't want to participate either.
Then, with patience and some humour I got through to him, and when he starte...
Yesterday, when my son didn’t want to have lunch with us because a friend of his brother was invited to eat with us. I went in his room and told him it was important for me to have HIM with us. He wasn’t convinced and told me the friend was going to take his place at the table in order to be able to sit beside the little brother. I promised him to seek another solution, and did so. He didn’t want to participate either.
Then, with patience and some humour I got through to him, and when he started smiling I knew I had won – without struggling or saying bad words. In less than a minute he changed his pyjama for ‘normal’ clothes and came to the family table! I just smiled happily! A victory over so many demons which had accompanied me since I was a child …
I can understand Ursula, my daughter has always been quite oppositional but lately she has started “listening” and following my lead, although as a result of my warning that I will reduce her computer time. But still, like you, I feel it is a victory and it swells my heart.
Out on the water steering for my five teammates who are rowing a 28 foot whaleboat.
Watching our grandchildren race around the backyard.
When I’m out walking a trail with our dog Gracie.
Creating and editing a photo that captured the moment envisioned.
– Kevin
When I have a heart full of divinely inspired love and grace. This practice helps me arrive there, and ignoring the distractions of worldly expectations instead taking an attitude of forgiveness towards myself and my loved ones. Life feels soft and content.
You know it’s funny about contentment. I had a real sense of it recently: felt a palpable sense of being totally at peace with my life the way it is right now. I enjoyed it briefly, then I got a phone call from a friend in one of my 12-step fellowships. I missed the “bite” of my usual energy during these conversations. I felt a little groggy and sluggish. I “banished” the contentment (to the extent I even have the power to do that) and felt like my usual kind of hyper self. Funny thing…
My moments of greatest contentment are at the end of the day when my work is done, my body is tired, my mind feels empty, and my soul find rest. As I nestle in between my cool sheets and fuzzy blanket, I can feel the world melt away as my eyes start to close. It's not frequent that all the factors are present for the perfect storm of contentment, but writing this reflection certainly helps me to ponder ways I can achieve the balance I need for my mind, body, and soul. I also find contentment whe...
My moments of greatest contentment are at the end of the day when my work is done, my body is tired, my mind feels empty, and my soul find rest. As I nestle in between my cool sheets and fuzzy blanket, I can feel the world melt away as my eyes start to close. It’s not frequent that all the factors are present for the perfect storm of contentment, but writing this reflection certainly helps me to ponder ways I can achieve the balance I need for my mind, body, and soul. I also find contentment when my kiddos are acting with love and compassion towards each other and their friends, when my husband falls asleep next to me, when there is a thunderstorm and Mother Nature puts on a tremendous light show, when there is a howling blizzard and I can watch the snow as it falls from the comfort of my home, and watching the bird nest built on top of a downspout where the birds return every year. As I write this, I am struck by how many things I can describe as bringing contentment, but I don’t think I appreciate it so much in the moment. Perhaps something to strive for…being present and open to a moment of contentment.
I feel great contentment when my 6 children (ages 26-11) are all together. I love to just sit and watch them while listening to them interact with one another. That makes my heart happy!
I feel fear contentment when I’m feeling free and conected. This connection can be when I’m helping people, playing, meditating, cleaning, cooking or doing just anything.
I feel great contentment when I’m free in the moment and have no notice of the concept of time.
In moments when ‘I’ is let go of and the Source is drawn close to.
Beautiful answer, Trevor.
I noticed you haven’t posted since this post about a week ago.
I always am interested in what you have to say. Hope all is well with you Trevor.
Mary
Trevor, I posted a message to you on May 1. Question was about making another person smile. Just hoping that you will get my messages.
Hope you don't think I am some crazy bothering you. I am just a regular married school teacher who teaches art from kindergarten to 5th grade. You seem like a smart and interesting young person who is seeking. I just would like to know how you are.
If you are doing other things I will leave you to your privacy. I know life can be very hard. I just want to ...
Trevor, I posted a message to you on May 1. Question was about making another person smile. Just hoping that you will get my messages.
Hope you don’t think I am some crazy bothering you. I am just a regular married school teacher who teaches art from kindergarten to 5th grade. You seem like a smart and interesting young person who is seeking. I just would like to know how you are.
If you are doing other things I will leave you to your privacy. I know life can be very hard. I just want to let you know that I care.
I wish you peace.
Mary
After making some kind of effort for something worthwhile. For instance after making Easter dinner for the family yesterday. At work when my lesson plans turn into great learning for my students. Other times not to do with doing are the times I am alone or with my family or immediate friends and it is harmonious and joyful.
In the woods & forest, and at the shore. Also, when I wake up and realize that I actually had a full night of sleep – so rare.
I can relate about the sleep, Pilgrim!
The woods and forest are such a place of refuge for me it’s not even funny!
Trevor,
Me too!
Out walking in nature; with my dog plonked down beside me by the fire; at one with a boat when I am on the helm and it feels optimally balanced.
I’ve always wanted my own sailboat! It must feel amazing to be at the helm out in water where you cannot see the shore. I’ve been on plenty of motorboats in small lakes and rivers. Jet skis near the ocean shore. Been on a cruise but that is like a floating hotel lol. The yacht life beckons me.
Yes, Trevor, there’s something about sail power. I’m generally not that far from shore, though. Also I mostly race which is pretty energising!
I suffer from anxiety that I am well aware I bring on myself. When I can let go of this anxiety and just be at peace in my home, reading or puttering about with my cat beside me, I brim with contentment. The other moment that comes to mind is laughing with a friend.
I was trying to figure out when I find the most contentment .Your comment says it all.
Laughing with a friend, yes, what a great contentment that is Francine
When I am challenged beyond my comfort zone, and I trust God enough to let go, move forward and realize yet again, God is always with me.
When I’m in the woods walking and surrounded by nature.
In silence, when I open my ears and heart.
In deep gratitude.
When another is praying for me, and I, for them, and the prayers are answered. ????
when i feel peace within me
In silence and awareness.
the moments I breathe in and take in the fresh spring air with promises of newness, forgiveness and kindness…… possibility!
Yesterday, when my son didn't want to have lunch with us because a friend of his brother was invited to eat with us. I went in his room and told him it was important for me to have HIM with us. He wasn't convinced and told me the friend was going to take his place at the table in order to be able to sit beside the little brother. I promised him to seek another solution, and did so. He didn't want to participate either.
Then, with patience and some humour I got through to him, and when he starte...
Yesterday, when my son didn’t want to have lunch with us because a friend of his brother was invited to eat with us. I went in his room and told him it was important for me to have HIM with us. He wasn’t convinced and told me the friend was going to take his place at the table in order to be able to sit beside the little brother. I promised him to seek another solution, and did so. He didn’t want to participate either.
Then, with patience and some humour I got through to him, and when he started smiling I knew I had won – without struggling or saying bad words. In less than a minute he changed his pyjama for ‘normal’ clothes and came to the family table! I just smiled happily! A victory over so many demons which had accompanied me since I was a child …
I can understand Ursula, my daughter has always been quite oppositional but lately she has started “listening” and following my lead, although as a result of my warning that I will reduce her computer time. But still, like you, I feel it is a victory and it swells my heart.
Out on the water steering for my five teammates who are rowing a 28 foot whaleboat.
Watching our grandchildren race around the backyard.
When I’m out walking a trail with our dog Gracie.
Creating and editing a photo that captured the moment envisioned.
– Kevin
Every night in bed, my hands folded under my cheek, I’ve said my prayers and am about to fall asleep.
Oh yes Deb, thank you for reminding me of these moments too
When I have a heart full of divinely inspired love and grace. This practice helps me arrive there, and ignoring the distractions of worldly expectations instead taking an attitude of forgiveness towards myself and my loved ones. Life feels soft and content.
You know it’s funny about contentment. I had a real sense of it recently: felt a palpable sense of being totally at peace with my life the way it is right now. I enjoyed it briefly, then I got a phone call from a friend in one of my 12-step fellowships. I missed the “bite” of my usual energy during these conversations. I felt a little groggy and sluggish. I “banished” the contentment (to the extent I even have the power to do that) and felt like my usual kind of hyper self. Funny thing…
Moments of solitude, doing things with no timelines
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