Be Content. Not Complacent
Content
To be content with yourself is to be comfortable with who you are today and happy with where you are in life. When you are content you are proud of what you have accomplished and stand by the decisions you’ve made up to this point. You have joy within, and you don’t look for external influences to fulfill you. When you are content with yourself and your life, you are satisfied with the way things are.
Don’t get me wrong, by no means does being content mean things are perfect. No one is living the perfect life, however; you can be content and still have the desire to make improvements and adjustments in your life. As humans, we are constantly evolving and growing. We should be in constant pursuit of a progressive way of thinking, an improved method for completing tasks, or a healthier way of communicating with others. Every day is another opportunity for us to be better than yesterday.
When you are content, you understand that things might not be perfect right now, but you have a plan for change. Not only do you have a plan, but you are looking forward to the process. You are excited about what’s in store.
Complacency
Being complacent can also mean being satisfied with your life. The difference here is that being satisfied with the existing status quo is due largely in part to feeling there is nothing that can be done to change or improve the existing status quo. Or perhaps there is no desire to improve the existing status quo. To be complacent means not functioning at full capacity and settling for the current situation. Acknowledging a need for improvement but failing to act on that need is making the conscious decision to be passive.
Some people don’t try for fear of failure and some are overwhelmed because they don’t know where to begin. These are valid apprehensions that can be addressed. But to never try at all is an atrocious disservice to yourself. Never stop working to be better.
So, how do you know whether you are content or being complacent? Going from having vivid plans of a successful life, to settling for a life of mediocrity because the former requires more effort than you are willing to put forth is a sure sign of complacency. Resolving to barely get by but still wanting more is an indicator of complacency.
Making the transition from a life of complacency to a life of contentment is possible and the sooner you decide to make the transition, the easier it will be.
The first step in the transition is to let go of the past. Having feelings of regret and disappointment about decisions that were made in the past is normal, however; the past cannot be changed. Instead of dwelling on the past, learn from the past. Make a fresh start using past experiences as a guide of what to do and what not to do. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made and understand that you did the best you could with the resources you had at the time. Tell yourself you are not the same person you were back then. If you feel that you are, then tell yourself you can change the person you are by doing things differently today.
Understanding who you are is the next step. If you're unhappy, you need to start observing yourself and find out what is causing those feelings. Start meditating, be quiet, and listen to yourself. Discover your strengths and weaknesses, and spend more time doing something productive instead of wasting time being unsatisfied. Be truthful about your weaknesses, we all have them and find ways to eradicate them. Begin keeping a daily journal. Write down your feelings, thoughts, or desires and review them later to reflect on how you were feeling. Try to identify what makes you happy or ways you can improve your mood. Identify your likes and dislikes and start doing more of what you like. Assess your relationships, they are a huge part of who you are. Who have you associated yourself with? What qualities do they have that you admire? What values do you share with them? Why have you chosen to be friends with these people? The answers to these questions can help you gain a better understanding of who you are.
Now, begin aligning your actions with your values and goals. When the things that you do and the way you behave no longer oppose your values, life is typically good. Your values are what matter to you the most. Never go against your values if you truly want to be content with life. The minute your actions contradict your values you will begin to feel unhappy. Understand what you value most in life and honor that. Make plans and decisions that honor your values and be fulfilled. Your values should be reflected in your priorities, plans, and decisions
So, which are you? Are you content or complacent? But most importantly, are you going to making the necessary adjustments to be happy?
The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much but doing too little. Not in you living above your means, but below your capacity. It's not failure but aiming too low, that is life's greatest tragedy.
Benjamin E. Mays