Monday, April 4, 2011

I'm not content enough...

      Content    –adjective
        1. To be satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
        2. peace of mind; mental or emotional satisfaction
        3. Impossible (just kidding)

     I find it very hard to be content for long, and I would like to blame society.  American consumerism, advertising and even the government continually remind us of our need to buy stuff. Granted most of that stuff we can justify needing; food, clothing, shelter, furnishings, gifts, and computers. I find myself getting very creative in order to justify the purchase. 
     Stuff; it can be wonderful and fun to buy, we get enjoyment from purchasing a "need", and often guilty for buying a want. Often a the justification comes in the form of a "deal to good to pass up".  One of my favorite sayings is,"I'm going broke, saving so much money." 
  I find when shopping online I am much less impulsive, even if it is a good deal.


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But is is not all the fault of our global economy, it is perhaps harder because we are constantly bombarded with advertising and retail genius. Discontentment has been around from the beginning of time (see Bible; Adam and Eve) through the ages and even the Bard himself was not immune, but perhaps a bit more savvy.




Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) Lady Macbeth, in Macbeth, act 3, sc. 2, l. 4-5.

1 comment:

  1. It's definitely something many of us struggle with in these times... I find that approaching those feelings with a grateful heart works well for me. When I think about all that I already have - a warm, abundant home and a beautiful family, I feel so blessed!

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