Personal Growth Planet Blog

I don’t know about you, but I don’t get too fired up when I think about the word “contentment.” It brings to my mind stereotypical retired folks rocking on their porches or maybe watching great grand kids playing in the yard.

The first images that come to me when I think about “contentment” are actually rather boring. Peaceful, yes. Also, pretty dull.

So many of us long for peace in our busy, hectic, triggering and stressful lives. I am certainly among those who yearn for experiences that are easy, satisfying and even-keeled. Unfortunately, though, when there is no drama and life is sailing along relatively smoothly, it can start to feel mundane and dull. It is in those moments that “contentment” seems unbearable and even restrictive.

What Would Jesus See?

Over the weekend there were several moments when I knew.

I participated in Martha Creek’s “Journey Within” workshop and it was amazing (to put it mildly). Emotional, intense, uplifting, opening, liberating and so much more.

The weekend consisted of one exercise after another that encouraged the other women and I who took part to really hone in on our habitual ways of thinking and being and to explore what it might be like to be free…

…It’s not necessarily your best friend either!

I don’t know of a single philosophy that deems the ego to be all that positive a thing.

We’ve all probably heard someone (maybe even ourselves) called “egotistical” or being accused of having a “big ego.” This is never meant as a compliment.

Many spiritual teachings counsel us to meditate, question and do whatever is necessary to get rid of the ego.

Just about everyone I know is overcommitted and has a difficult time saying “no.”

It seems to be the American way to agree to whatever request (or demand) is thrown our way– and then complain about, resent and feel powerless to whatever it is we felt compelled to say “yes” to in the first place.

It all comes down to a desire, perhaps even a desperate need, to please.

Even the most non-conforming individuals among us want to be liked. While there are those who may not comfortably admit it, just about everyone has a need to feel loved and accepted (even if it’s on our terms, in specific sub-cultures and in our own unique ways).

Do you tend to go through life feeling like you’re banging up against one brick wall after another?

I have certainly felt that way at times. It can seem as if I am slowly plodding along through my thigh-deep-in-mud kind of days.

Trying. to. get. ahead.

During those days, weeks or months in which setbacks and obstacles appear to be the norm, I long for life to be easy. I find myself asking, “Why can’t life be easy for once?”

The answer, of course, all comes down to me.