We didn’t choose our parents, the century, or the nation into which we are born. We didn’t select our sex, height, IQ, or race. Time and chance will affect us all. We all have both good luck and bad luck. Yet some people seem contented while others are angry or resentful.
I noticed that individual circumstances don’t seem to make much difference between those who are contented and those who aren’t. After pondering that fact, I developed the following observations.
We can aspire to be fair to others. People who expect the world to be fair are likely to be disappointed early and often.
A person with a fixed mindset wants to demonstrate their superiority. They have little interest in change. “I can’t do that.” In contrast, someone with a growth mindset is more interested in what is possible. “I can’t do that YET, but I’m going to have fun learning how to do it.”
My angriest acquaintances are upset that the rest of the world doesn’t agree with them. They were more fun before they knew it all. I truly appreciate the people who speak less yet say more.
Even a dead fish can drift with the current, but when you drift you have no control over where you wind up. Be intentional. Don’t drift.
People who know who they are called to be, tend to be wiser, more impactful, and more comfortable with what they do.
Discipline is knowing who you are. Discipline is acting now in the best interest of your future self, even when other actions are easier or more attractive.
Seeking excellence with your talents tends to produce better results than focusing on minimizing your weaknesses. That is Gallup’s CliftonSrenghts® conclusion after doing 100+ studies with 2 million people in 2000+ organizations.
Wise people devote time and resources to people and things that money can’t replace. If you won’t suffer for something or someone, then that person or that thing has little value to you. Guard your heart. Where your heart is, your treasure is also.
We learn by doing. Trying something new reveals what does and does not work. Our brains are wired to remind us of our failures more than our successes. Mistakes are often our current price for our future superior performance and wisdom.
We gain wisdom by reflecting. Pain and mistakes are wasted if we don’t salvage insight. Sometimes our decision process was good, but the outcome was bad because of chance or circumstances beyond our control. Reflecting helps us do better next time and make peace with our pain.
A friendly nudge toward your positive and enduring impactful legacy.
What important contentment lesson have you learned that is missing?
-o0o-
Terry Moore, CCIM, is the author of Building Legacy Wealth: How to Build Wealth and Live a Life Worth Imitating. Read his “Welcome to My Blog.”
Beautifully written! May I share your words on Facebook?
Thank you for that Terry. I have been feeling down because of the currant economic conditions lately. Some times its better to look inward for peace than wait for it to come from the outside.