Finding Contentment: Embracing Balance and Personal Growth
How do you differentiate between striving for and wanting an abundance of wealth, and finding happiness and contentment in presence at the same time? There is often a pressure to constantly strive for more and achieve what is considered "success." We may feel guilty for wanting more or fear being judged by others if we have less.
How can we distinguish between the pursuit of goals and aspirations, the desire for accomplishment and success, and the trap of materialism? Is it possible to simply exist without constantly striving? Furthermore, how do we ensure our financial obligations are met without being consumed by the relentless pursuit of monetary means?
These are all important questions to consider, and they demonstrate the complexity of balancing ambition with contentment. However, what truly matters is finding a balance that allows us to pursue our goals, while also appreciating and enjoying our current circumstances.
Remember that “success” looks different for everyone, and it's not always measured by material possessions or societal expectations. Instead of chasing after external markers of success, we should focus on our own personal growth and fulfillment. This can involve setting achievable goals, challenging ourselves to be better humans every day, and finding joy in the journey, rather than solely focusing on the end result.
The Buddha told us himself, "There is no path to happiness, happiness is the path."
This suggests you must love what you do, as much as the reward that it brings, while at all times remaining content and most importantly, grateful, with what you already have been given or achieved.
Let go of the pressure to constantly strive for more and instead embrace contentment with where you are in life. This doesn't mean giving up on your dreams, but rather finding peace and fulfillment in the present moment, while still working towards your dreams and goals. This way, happiness lies in both working towards your goals, as well as achieving them. Thus, not creating too much of a “high” upon receipt of the accomplishment, followed by a “low” feeling soon thereafter.
Living in the high/low, up and down environment will result in only having a few selected moments in life to feel good about yourself that will wear off quickly. You’ll spend the majority of your time chasing the next feel-good moment.
Remember that happiness is not defined by what others may think, but by how you think of yourself. This is what it means when someone says, “true happiness comes from within.”
Keep striving for growth, but never lose sight of who you are and what you have achieved thus far. Always remain in a state of gratitude. Remember, the pursuit of happiness is a lifelong journey filled with ups and downs, but as long as we stay true to ourselves and find contentment in the present, we are already successful.
Thank you for reading.
