Speaking notes:
Sheryl Crow: It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have. From the song, “Soak Up the Sun.”
Buddha: Desire & attachment is the root of all misery.
Men’s group – words for the year . . . One man chose “contentment.”
This sounds good. Stop stressing.
Church people: Let go and let God.
A little perspective
Just stop right there! I know this sounds good, but you need to put “contentment” into perspective.
There is a fine line between contentment and complacency.
I know this because I spent too much of my life on the wrong side of that line!
I was a go-with-the-flow, que sera sera, Hakuna Matada kind of guy.
I didn’t set goals. I didn’t make any long-term plans.
I was complacent.
What I found is that complacency does not give you contentment!
I changed my mindset
I’m not that guy any more!
What I had to learn was live in a paradox.
Sheryl Crow: It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have.
This is an either/or choice.
Either I’m a greedy pig, always wanting more and more.
Or I’m a zen master: happy with whatever comes my way.
I live in a paradox.
I’m content with my life. I enjoy my life. I love life.
AND I want more. I want to grow. I want an EPIC life.
Let me give you a practical example:
In 2017, I set a goal to weigh under 200 pounds by the end of the year.
Every morning I would look at my body in the mirror and do two things:
1. See myself as I was and accept my body shape without judging.
2. See myself as I wanted to be – 30 pounds lighter.
You see, it’s not an either/or choice between contentment and desire.
It’s both.
It sounds like a paradox.
But it’s powerful when you get the right balance.
Key takeaway:
Practice contentment
Go after what you want.
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