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Contentment is an easy type of happiness that comes from simply appreciating life. This is a basic type of human experience and human condition that perhaps everyone has experienced and some people are able to sustain for long periods of time. The following are illustrative examples of contentment.
Simple ThingsFocusing on the simple things in life such as time with your family or enjoying nature. WonderSeeing the world with a sense of wonder.Making yourself too busy with things such as reading or entertainment to notice the problems of the world.PassivityAllowing the problems of the world to take their own course without any intervention. DenialPretending the problems of the world don't exist. By ignoring problems and risks you become complicit in them.
Contentment is often described as wanting what you have without desire or need of change. This can be viewed as complacent as change comes whether you need it or not. MediocrityMediocrity is a common approach to life that can be described as the path of least resistance with the goal being safety, security, comfort and convenience.
Bread & CircusesThe theory that the masses are content with basic material needs and entertainment.Limiting WantsReducing certain types of desires such as greed that you see as unproductive to your life. AltruismA common path to contentment is to reduce your own desires and avoid complacency by devoting yourself to helping others.UnaffectednessReducing the common tendency to compare yourself to others. Unaffectedness also implies that you not allow your emotions to be easy influenced. For example, being indifferent to both unfair insults and undeserved praise.
StoicismStoicism is an approach to life that is indifferent to good fortune or bad fortune with the only thing that matters being your own virtuous response to each.Good HumorThe ability to enjoy the absurdities of life by seeing the humor in it all.GratitudeGratitude for all that you have been given. Ingratitude and a sense of entitlement tend to make contentment unlikely.
HumilityRecognition of the small role you play in things. Narcissism and other forms of excessive pride eliminate contentment. Abundance MentalityAbundance mentality is the belief that there is enough for everyone and that the successes of others don't diminish your own.PeaceTrying to resolve disputes with civility to avoid conflict.ForgivingLetting the past go and trying to forgive yourself and others. Dwelling in the past, particularly negative aspects of the past isn't conductive to contentment.
Positivity & OptimismFocusing on the good side of things and the future potential of things.Self-fulfillmentContentment can come from achievements whereby you decide what you want to be and make progress in this direction. This is a journey and not a goal. There is no reason to wait for happiness and this can be a bad idea as life is short.|
Type | | Definition | An easy type of happiness that comes from simply appreciating life. | Related Concepts | |
Human Experience
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