Monday, February 14, 2011

Contented Ambition


Many things are fleeting in our fast-paced lives. Perhaps the incessant advertising we endure contributes to this, but one of the most fleeting postures of life is contentment. Many would argue that if you are content that you lack ambition. I disagree.

To be content does not mean that you are without desire or ambition. It simply means that you are willing to live in the present moment. I find that most driven people are pushing off their contentment to some time in the future. When they get their retirement all lined up and collect enough wealth, then they'll stop to be content. Meanwhile they are not ever fully here in the present.

The question ultimately comes down to: "How much is enough?" If your answer is "just a little bit more" then you'll never get off the treadmill.

So each day, I set my heart to be present in every moment- to work with contentment and to play with contentment. Sometimes I forget, and I let myself wander into trying to live in the future. When I do that, my heart loses its joy. It takes a good reminder that I have been given much and I need to enjoy that much because tomorrow has enough trouble of its own.

Because when I pause to be grateful for the present moment and be content in it, I can feel my heart welling up with joy.

8 comments:

  1. I love it!....good stuff! I know it to be true of you and have shared the moment several times... what a joy.

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  2. We need to share another moment, Lee! How about we catch "The Eagle" later this week?

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  3. You hit the nail on the head. I've heard it said this way, "Wherever you are, be there."

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  4. I agree!! "Being present" is a spiritual discipline worth practicing! You have great wisdom, Kirby! Thanks for sharing it!

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  5. This sounds a lot like a yogi! So glad to hear these inner musings, Kirb. I sure love you!

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