“Contentment is the hallmark of living fully in the present moment”
Carol Kent
Do you sometimes find yourself discontent?
I do. Sometimes.
For 12 days after my fall (HERE)- I was confined to the house having to be pretty still so my darn ribs would recover.
And I despise being still.
Every morning for days, I got up early because I was so sore from sleeping sitting up in one position. I hobbled around holding my side until the pain medicine kicked in.
One morning after Mike left for work, I looked up the flight of stairs leading to the guest room. Just an hour before I fell, I’d spent the day taking everything out of the guest room in preparation for my next project. The walls looked like a patchwork quilt with squares of different color paint samples brushed on here there and everywhere.
Anxiety shot through me as I realized that The room was turned upside down and there’s no telling when I’d be able to get back to that project.
And it wasn’t just my guest room project that was delayed, because I couldn’t work, I had to let a customer know I would be late on a sponsored project.
I’m never late on projects!
More anxiety.
I looked at my inbox and had the irrational urge to delete my entire email account.
Why would something as simple as answering emails push me into freak out mode?
After searching for something productive I could do that wouldn’t cause my muscles to spasm, or my mind to stress-out, I finally I gave up and decided to take a bath.
At that time in my recovery, a hot bath was one of the only ways I could relax my muscles.
Resigned to another unproductive day, my thoughts became toxic, all centering around the careless fall.
I can’t stand to…
I’m going to go crazy if…
I am so sick of…
Putting my computer on the bathroom counter, I pressed play on my current Audible book in iTunes, and gingerly lowered myself into the warm sudsy water.
Just as I was ready to lean back, I heard something that caused me to laser focus my thoughts…
“Contentment is the hallmark of living fully in the present moment”.
Moment. That word again.
You know my one-word for this year is moment right?
With that word, I was kind of expecting to coast through 2016 enjoying myself as I learned to unplug, quiet my mind and enter the present moment.
I pictured more Fun-Fridays with the Littles. More long dinner dates with Mike. More Sunday Suppers with the family gathered around the table catching up and laughing…
I did not imagine my lessons on living in the moment would be quite so uncomfortable.
Sinking further into the soothing water, I asked myself:
Am I content?
Then I answered myself:
What? You mean, right now? At this moment am I content? Ummm, no. Frankly, I’m a little angry and a lot anxious.
A whisper of a thought followed…
Then most likely you’re not living in the moment.
Of course it was true.
I was worrying about the future (how can I ever catch up-the year is hardly 2 months old and I’ve hardly accomplished anything…) and fretting about the past. (how stupid was I for falling in the first place- I know better than to be so careless…)
That afternoon, I took a long bath… propped up in bed with my pups and read a book…talked to 5 year old Lucy Jean about what she did at school…watched TV with Mike and fell asleep early.
Those moments were, as my Gramma used to say, “nothing to write home about“.
But those moments were stress and anxiety free my friends.
I’m not going to tell you that since then, I’ve been non-stop content and living in the moment. But I can tell you that since that afternoon, when discontent creeps in, I make an effort to reorient myself and step into the present moment.
***
Other Heart Posts: All Things HeartFelt HERE
Lessons on Living in the Moment:
1- God’s grace is only found in the present moment- HERE
2-Contentment is the hallmark of living in the moment-This Post!
Truth.
Thank you.
Beautiful.
Julie…oxoxo
Great message. Funny my small group discussion was on contentment.
Elaine, contentment is so simple but seems to sometimes be just out of reach …xo
Absolutely gorgeous! And I just adore your sweet pup!!
thank you!!! And that pup is my shadow! ox
Wisdom spoken with beauty…
Tawn…sending love xo
Beautiful! Thank you so much, dear friend, for this post. I am going to remember this in those moments of discontent. xxoo
Eileen, sending love xo
Dear One, so much for you these days. Discussed this pattern at our study this week: PTL
Pray
Thank God for all that he has done, is doing and will do.
Let go since your father hears you and will take care of you.
Cindy, thank you my friend for sharing your heart and encouraging me – sending so much love xo
Parts of Phil. 4:11-12 “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…” (my words-whether I am suffering with severely bruised ribs or the difficult results of cancer). I trust it took the Apostle Paul a long time to make this declaration because I’m 70 and still learning. Praying for your complete healing and His peace.
oh Tannette, thank you my friend for encouraging me today- truly…thank you xo
I so needed to read these words today. All I have is right now and as more and more seems to be slipping from my grasp of what I can do, and truly staying right here in the present is a challenge sometimes. I love the idea of “contentment.” Thank you for giving me a ledge to stand on- so greatly needed! Love to you honey!
Vicky…praying, dear friend – that your ledge stretches deep and wide – rest assured dear one…however big, you’re standing on Holy ground xo
I think most of us struggle with contentment at one time or another. I certainly have. And still do!! Thanks for the reminder. Carol Kent certainly knows. Continued prayers!! 🙂
Gina…Carol is wonderful isn’t she!!!??? xo