So Ms. Howe asked me to write about my opinions on happiness and contentment. "Sure, I'd be HAPPY to do it." I replied. DAMN... there was that word happy again. And so, I went on a mission to understand my own opinions on the subject. Below is my random thoughts....
Happiness is a temporary state. Something that is outside my control and is triggered by an event or an item or a place. Contentment is something within my control based off myself. An example, you want an example, fine.... here it goes. I was HAPPY watching Garrett and his friend riding around in the Birthday Hummer. It was fun and exciting to watch the boy's face light up in excitement. The planning and the entire event was fun. I was quite happy doing it. I was content to just be able to spend Garrett's birthday with him. I was HAPPY painting ceramics with Kenzie today. I was content knowing that we were together spending time.
To be content, to me, is being at peace with WHATEVER is happening. Knowing that you are loved, being able to love, and sharing a life with others. Happiness is an emotion based off good fortune.
Oh sure, I can hear it now... that is semantics. Yes, on a certain level, it is semantics but what about this example. I was NOT happy when my grandmother died. I was sad and lonely and anything BUT happy.
However, I was content that my grandmother was in a better place. I was content because I knew that Grandma had a wonderful life and many people that loved her. I was content that when Grandma died, she knew that I loved her and that she was an important part of my life. I went through the funeral content in my relationship with her but I was not happy that she was gone.
And so, this is my random rambling on the difference between happiness and contentment. I search for contentment in all that I do. I enjoy happiness when it comes along.
- Dana
Happiness is a temporary state. Something that is outside my control and is triggered by an event or an item or a place. Contentment is something within my control based off myself. An example, you want an example, fine.... here it goes. I was HAPPY watching Garrett and his friend riding around in the Birthday Hummer. It was fun and exciting to watch the boy's face light up in excitement. The planning and the entire event was fun. I was quite happy doing it. I was content to just be able to spend Garrett's birthday with him. I was HAPPY painting ceramics with Kenzie today. I was content knowing that we were together spending time.
To be content, to me, is being at peace with WHATEVER is happening. Knowing that you are loved, being able to love, and sharing a life with others. Happiness is an emotion based off good fortune.
Oh sure, I can hear it now... that is semantics. Yes, on a certain level, it is semantics but what about this example. I was NOT happy when my grandmother died. I was sad and lonely and anything BUT happy.
However, I was content that my grandmother was in a better place. I was content because I knew that Grandma had a wonderful life and many people that loved her. I was content that when Grandma died, she knew that I loved her and that she was an important part of my life. I went through the funeral content in my relationship with her but I was not happy that she was gone.
And so, this is my random rambling on the difference between happiness and contentment. I search for contentment in all that I do. I enjoy happiness when it comes along.
- Dana
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