on contentment...

[lagilman]

This past week, I've been strangely content, and it took me a while to recognize the feeling for what it was. Small moments of.. not quite satisfaction, not quite pleasure... contentment. A feeling that whatever came out of the shadows or sunlight, all would be well.

It's a nice feeling. I hope to hold onto it for a while longer, despite the end of vacation and the return to "work, damn it" mode...

But it made me wonder: is contentment such a rare thing, that we forget what it feels like?

[Poll #494099]


And what makes everyone feel content? Is it a person? A place? The purr of a kitten, the feel of sunlight, or the sound of a well-tuned engine underseat?

For me, it's laughter. I've been laughing a lot, this past week -- deep loud laughter, and gentle amusement, and rude snickers; the entire range of sound and emotion. Is nice. Need to hold onto that...


(of course, considering the show Bou and Boomerang are putting on right now, not laughing is not an option... Boomer, you have no dignity whatsoever...)

Comments

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I am content when enough of my household tasks are done that I don't feel guilty, when I am in reasonable health, and when I am rested.

The last month has been pretty good for that.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

When everything is done well, or at least I'm on schedule--and no one is nagging at me, no one's angry with me--when I feel safe and not pressured.

[patchwork-prose.livejournal.com]

[Edited]
Al and I had a nice discussion on contentment versus happiness. The conclusion we came to is that we are, both of us, very happy people.

He feels that he is discontented when his list of completed tasks is not growing as rapidly as his list of tasks to be completed (far too often), and contented when he feels he is accomplishing what needs to be done.

I feel contentment when I am giving beauty or understanding or a listening ear or other contributions to the world. And when there is nothing more to be done for the moment. I am also content during the quiet times, the times for just thinking and being.

Al's a lot more type "A" than I am. :-)

[hoosier-red.livejournal.com]

I'm content when the house is clean. Which is why I picked the "Not very often, damn it" option.

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

An excellent meal, a great time with close friends, and specific conditions of a higher rating than you've allowed -- these are the times I'm content.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I am content when enough of my household tasks are done that I don't feel guilty,

Ditto. When I don't have to have something to do, my cat is purring, and my book is good.

[janni.livejournal.com]

I feel like contentment is a sort of act of grace, when it happens--have rarely been able to figure out circumstances that would make it consciously happen when I wanted. (Though being in the wilderness can be a nudge in that direction.)

[vincam.livejournal.com]

is contentment such a rare thing, that we forget what it feels like?

I never knew what it felt like until the past few years. When I did, it was strange and unsettling. I'm still waiting for another shoe to drop. Waiting for the "gotcha." But slowly I'm acclimating. I just hope the gotcha waits long enough that I don't end up back at square one. I don't think I could handle that.

Happiness? What's that?