I choose to laugh LOUDLY

A good friend asked me a question yesterday “Was I content?” .... and it got me thinking.

What is contentment?

.... so I googled it, as is my wont when faced with something perplexing!

The vast wealth of information on contentment and it’s link to happiness left me reeling.  Am I content?  What defines contentment?  Does the situation you’re in affect your ability to be contented? 

Aristotle said “Happiness is self-contentedness” and I think he hit the nail on the head. 

Any of us can be content if we’re HAPPY with our lot in life.  Life doesn’t have to be perfect.  Interestingly enough, it’s been proven that as long as the basic needs are met, money has little impact on happiness either.

My answer to my friend was a resounding yes, I am content.  The more I’ve thought about it today, the more I know and believe the truth of that statement.

I am content.  Despite the difficulties of the last 2 years and the difficulties that still lie ahead, I have an innate ability to find happiness in even the smallest of things. It doesn’t mean that I’m looking at the world through rose-tinted spectacles but it does mean that I choose to see that everything has two sides to it.  I choose to focus on the positives and I choose to LAUGH ...

LOUDLY.

It doesn’t resolve anything but it sure makes me feel better!

My happiness bubble was nearly fit to burst this afternoon.  I’ve opened my studio at home for 2 afternoons a week and last week was the first week I was open. I had a couple of customers last week, Carol being my first, but they were all people I already knew.

Today I’ve had my first customer walk in off the street because she saw my signage on the road  .... it’s so exciting!  She didn’t purchase anything but loved what she saw and assures me she’ll be back ... with money next time.  

It’s the littlest of things and might seem quite arbitrary to most but it’s made me grin from ear to ear.  This CAN work.

I believe in me .... and so does the hound .... and that’s MORE than enough reason to smile!

Contented ... me?  Oh yes ... VERY definitely!