bE contEntEd...?

I gather you are referring to that verse that the apostle Paul said that he was contented in whatever situation he was in, but that did not refer to he was happy to be poor when he was poor, or rich when he was rich, or glad when everyone listened to the gospel and were convert, and just as pleased when no one wanted to hear him preach. It refers to a spiritual contentment, that the circumstances will not decide on his faith in God. We are not supposed to be complacent with where we are now, because we can always do better.

People in the past (why go that far) just two generations ago, were people with a lot of discipline in life. They knew that they had to save for rainy day. they had less desires than what the modern world is tempting us to have. They also knew how to live within the income frame and still save for next generation. Whateverbe the earning, by and large many people had a good financial planning. In the plastic money age, people spend on future earnings and that is the trouble - most of them are in debt traps. Also mass influence (my neighbour had purchased why not me?) is another factor which increases consumerism. So happiness is only a state of mind rather than style of living.

hey pretty! being contented is different from ingenuity, creativity, or resourcefulness. being contented is learning to apprecaite what you have and to live life with joy and peace. just because you are content doesn't mean that you have to give up your dreams. but in the process of achieving your dreams, are you not appreciating what you have, you keep on complaining, and wishing that things were different? that's discontentment. i believe that pursuing our dreams is not discontentment. however, discontentment can still be there even if we have already what we desired. are you getting me? hehehe well anyway, try to look at the positive side of things. you will realize you will be happier and more contented. :-)

You have probably heard this quote: "God, give me the strength to change the things that can be changed, to accept the things that cannot be changed and the wisdom to make the difference between the two". I think it expresses exactly the way things must be looked at. Because there are things that can be changed and should be changed (such as the examples you've given) and things that cannot be changed and should be accepted as such and made the best out of them :)

hello :-) i think "being contented" is not an all too general thing... i mean there are things in life that you have to be contented about and there are also those that you need challenge, to be curious about, to have the courage to go beyond...

No! People who are contented of what they have are stagnant. I believe we have to work and strive for more. As a teacher I don't have to be contented of the resources that I have but look for more that will be beneficial to my students. Well, this is in the workplace. I believe we have to work and strive for more especially on that thing called eternal. What have we done for this? Are we prepared?

There would never be any progress good or bad, personal, or universal without some amount of discontent either with a situation or a more general issue, like a disease that makes someone seek a cure.Life is not for contentment, maybe Heaven is, we cannot understand lack of confrontation here on Earth.

We can be contented in some ways, it doesn't have to cover our whole life. We can be c ontented on our work, on what we earn or on what we have no matter how simple it is. I also thought about that, the reason came to my mind and so I looked for other reasons to be contented so I could have a peace in my mind. Sometimes, our desires lead us to unnecssary things so that's why I always think first of my actions and the consequences it'll bring. If I feel comfortably safe, then I'd go for it and step back a little if I feel I'm a bit hesitant..

Yes and No, there are thing that we an control in this life and there are things that we just cant control. We should only content about thing that we can't control.. so if we are sure we can control a situation don't be content about it, just do our best. :)

Throughout history, mankind has always been in search of new advances for the common good of all. Early scientists like Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Galileo Galilei, Marie Curie and others pushed the frontiers of Science to create a better world for all to enjoy, and not for own selfish reasons. They were highly creative people, and we owe it all to them for their unfailing passion at expounding new theories and discoveries. These scientists had an insatiable hunger that drives them on in their pursuit of Science. In a way, you can say that their discontentment was a good thing that had great impacts on improving our lives. On the other hand, we live at a time where we are the beneficiaries of these successes in Science. Our lives are vastly improved and we have ready access to many resources needed for living comfortably. Unlike the early scientists who lived at a time when such resources are practically non-existent, we should learn to appreciate life and all the things that we can enjoy living life. If we keep wanting more and are never satisfied, discontentment sets in. Everyone has dreams, and have their right to pursue their dreams. But some people already have what they desire, yet are still not satisfied. They should learn to value life more, and be happy and contented that they are so blessed. Then only can they be at peace in their hearts.

it's hard to be just contented with life.. Even though there are ple who already are contented with life, with all that they have now, is because they are not greedy :) But it's only a small minority.. From wat i think, contented is not everything because i live how i want my life to be :)