Be Content


I've been mulling over this quote I came across for the whole week and I thought I'd share it with you.

Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.      -Lao Tzu

   

This week has been sort of busy and sort of quiet.  A mixture of the two and when the quiet times were strung together I felt quite relaxed.  My husband's work hours have been kind of crazy these past weeks, it's temporary, but both of us get caught up in being disappointed in the hectic schedule.  But then there are days that ordinary hours occur and we forget the crazy schedule.

I've been looking ahead in the coming months, thinking and planning in my imagination, trips to take, visits to organize with our son and our daughter.  Oh yes, and the wedding.  Not much thoughts on the wedding details, but I do think of the household tasks I'd love to complete before the entire family descends on us for the weekend and this lovely home of ours will be the "hub".

How funny when we turn a critical eye on our homes.  I see dings in the drywall and scratches on the walls in the hallway and up the stairs of when the children carried their french horn and their baritone cases up and down, places where I've scrubbed and erased the flat paint along with the scrubbing.

So during this week I've thought of what makes me feel content:

-walks with my husband and Frodo, taking in the arrival of spring (finally)
-my cup of tea after the kitchen is cleaned up and closed for the evening
-phone calls from the kids, hearing about their days
-enjoying my knitting projects
-knitting for others
-knowing we will all be together for Easter
-embracing overall good health and doing all the physical activities I can do
-tucking away the winter parka and wearing a spring jacket
-hearing the birds, seeing the robins and the flurry of activity
-breathing in that spring air

What makes you feel content??

Have a great weekend!


Comments

  1. I have always loved that quote, thank you for sharing it today.

    Funny I wrote in my journal about the feeling of contentedness that has washed over me this last week or so, and it feels wonderful. To just feel good about what is, in the here and now.

    What makes me feel content....time in the woods, reading to my little man, family meals around our table, connection to friends, taking time to do things that feed my soul each and every day, cups of tea, being mindful that I only get one chance at this thing called life, and trying my best to soak it up.

    Have the most wonderful weekend Karen. xo

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  2. It sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for and content in. I think we all do if we just slow down enough to realize it.

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  3. Beautiful list. Being content is the hardest thing we will ever do. In the hubbub of life it's good to sit back and find moments of contentment just to get us through. Thanks for the reminder.

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  4. contentment is so important and so easy to lose I find! thanks for that beautiful poem! I love your list too! :) I feel very happy/content when my counter is clean and I can see my pretty red fiesta ware canisters :) Today Mr. Husband is working from home and Cleo the Cat is hanging out with me and that alone makes me feel very content! :)

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  5. A beautiful quote that I have come across and thought about before. I am content with simple things in life, a moment or two to do some crafting, talking to and catching up with my family, sharing a meal, a walk. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  6. I agree totally with that quote Karen. I laughed when I read your words about your home, every big event in my children's lives I have done some major overall to my home before family gathers, I think it's just mama nature.

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  7. I love that quote. I get that looking at your house with a critical eye, I do it every time we have guests........

    I have had too much busy lately, I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home pottering :)

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  8. That's a lovely quote Karen! Something to keep in mind, always. I can relate to turning a critical eye on your home before having company over. We're expecting family this summer and my "to do, fix up, spruce up" list is growing by leaps and bounds. Will it all get done, no. Does any of it matter in the great scheme of things, no. Yet I keep thinking about it...

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  9. I felt so content just reading through your list! :) Sounds so nice and similiar to my own thougths. Thanks for the sweet reminder to be content during the "hectic" times too.

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  10. What a thoughtful quote. I think it's the time of year to feel a little un-content (is that a word?). I've been feeling it too. With reflection, I'm leaning the other way, but I like your take, to think on what makes you happy. What a great way to refocus. Just a great reminder. Thanks Karen.

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  11. Being grateful for what I have and not focusing on what is lacking. It's not always easy to keep the frame of mind, but I try. Have a wonderful weekend Karen.

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  12. Oh, I love this quote and have copied it down! : ) What a beautiful post, it's so good to read of all the ways you find contentment! xx

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  13. I love this quote and I'm sure it will find its way into my art journal soon. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. well when I pray I try to feel content.
    I am trying to focus on one day at a time...so I may name a new cat ONEDAY
    or TODAY something mindful...

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  15. Great quote, Karen! have a wonderfully content weekend!

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  16. What a great quote....i always feel contented after a good work out - after cardio and a good adrenaline rush, all the wants from the want/need list seem to drop away !!! Have a wonderful weekend Karen

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  17. This is such lovely post, and thank you for that quote. I seem to be in a personal season of discontent, and I am trying to snap out of it. Walking reading, and knitting are all part of my therapy. :-)

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  18. Many of my favorite thought provoking quotes come from Lao Tzu. Love your list of things that make you feel content.
    Walking, talking with friends, peaceful knitting time, a great book, a family that is happy are all just a few things that make me feel content.

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  19. It's so true-- I think I can overlook lots of the "mistakes" at my house because I am used to them. But, if I start to look closely, all sorts of things that need to be fixed begin to appear. lol.
    I feel content when my to-do list starts to wane down, when everyone is home for the night, when the dishes are clean and it's time to relax!

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  20. Great post. I know I need to focus more on the things that make me happy and content. I appreciate the inspiration to do so. I think my favorite time of the day is reading late at night before I go to sleep. With my hubby and my book close at hand, I feel like I have all I need!

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  21. They are wonderful things to be contented with. xx

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  22. Hmm contentedness.... I think I often need to refocus and remember how to be content! It is always the simple things, like in your list :) Particularly the singing birds and walks!

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  23. i wanted to say THANK YOU for the quote and for the reminder. when i read this a few days ago it really stuck with me and reminded me of how much i do have and that wallowing isn't good for the soul. i was having a nice spin on the "woe is me" wheel and really i needed a refreshing reminder that life is really good.

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