Inertia seems to be everything

[flexagon]

Once I actually work on my side project, I want to work on it again soon. A countertop that has clutter on it will accumulate more clutter. Some say that money attracts more money; it's obvious that getting one cat is a gateway to getting more cats. It's a bad idea to think about this too much -- I could start thinking that EVERYTHING is addictive.

If you feel like reading a link, check out The unmistakable freedom of contentment. I find it pretty interesting to think of developing contentment as a practice or goal in itself. I've always viewed it as an emergent property that happens when things align just right. I wonder why I'm fine with the idea of working on happiness, or gratitude, but surprised at the idea of working on contentment. Something subtle is going on there.

Comments

Content

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

I always find 'take control of your attitude' to be the most difficult, and you know, probably the cornerstone of the whole thing. Really, contentment is a mindset. And if you develop a content attitude, then the rest falls into place. At least, it does for me. For the past few years, I realize that life really sucks a lot if you can't be happy, and I think my version of 'happy' is really just contentment.

And you know, because this isn't a mainstream sort of idea, it tends to get a lot of ridicule, which can be very frustrating. Not buying stuff all the time and trying to learn something or learn to do something better can be a source of ridicule from others, too. It's something I do not at all understand, but there it is.

Have you experienced anything like that?

Re: Content

[flexagon]

Have you experienced anything like that?

Oh yes. I've been discouraged from applying to the college I went to, and discouraged from doing gymnastics since I'd never be really good from a competitive standpoint, and the list goes on. Sometimes I think the kinder naysayers are trying to guard me against disappointment, and other times I'm less charitable toward them.

and I think my version of 'happy' is really just contentment.

I totally understand what you're saying. Out of curiosity, do you do "enthusiastic" at all? I've taken the Dale Carnegie course and read a bunch of his books, and in that system sincerity and enthusiasm (but especially enthusiasm) is viewed as a lot of the basis for happiness & success. Just recently I've again been playing with something from that class (or is it the book?), which is: lying in bed in the morning for a minute consciously LOOKING FORWARD TO the things in the day. Even if it feels kind of fake. Tomorrow it'll be something like:

"Cool, today I think I'll really have a visible demo of the thing at work. And I get to follow up with the doctor about somnoplasty and hear that I'm healing up well, which will be a nice thing to hear. And, acroyoga! This is going to be a great day."

I've thought about posting about this. I know it sounds stupid, but if I do this exercise, even if I'm being a little sarcastic about it I still get up in a much better mood and feel better about attacking the day.

So yeah. Enthusiasm vs. contentment. Thoughts? I think they can go together, but one seems like a higher-energy frame of mind.

Re: Content

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Enthusiasm: hmm. I've never thought about it. Mostly, I made up my own ideas about happiness/contentment and haven't really read anything on it. But I can see how enthusiasm, even faked, can change your frame of mind. It's like smiling sort of helps to cheer you up. It does seems like a high-energy frame of mind, but perhaps it serves as a boost to keep contentment going?

My dad has got 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' - I'll borrow that next time I'm visiting him.

I'm going to think about this for a while. It seems so interesting, and my brain is telling me to let it percolate. :)