Hi forty horney,
Tolstoy had fascinating things to say that connect with many people ... too bad he so often dwelled on the negative to such an extent. Likely his culture and experiences led him in that direction.
You noted for yourself,
Thus I do not fret and worry about many things. I do not own a lot of things, I do not want a lot of things, I have no ambitions about being a big shot on my job, and I'm content with a roof over my head, some food in the fridge and a bottle of cognac in tha cabinet. Thus I do not fret and worry about many things. I do not own a lot of things, I do not want a lot of things, I have no ambitions about being a big shot on my job, and I'm content with a roof over my head, some food in the fridge and a bottle of cognac in tha cabinet.
To each his own. I certainly relate to simple straightforward goals and activities. I wish more people could be happy with what they have. On the other hand, much of what we have is attributable to those who were not content to follow the well worn road, but chose to blaze a new trail, and make a path for others to follow. I like to following simple quote:
"Wherever you go, there you are."
Life is a series of choices that get us to where we are at and remain. The power is in our hands to make a difference, to make new and different choices, to change.
I too am content with myself whether rich or poor ... but I am not content to choose poverty. I am simply able to accept it as a temporary condition.
I am content with my professional station, even doing mundane work as needed, but I am not content to willingly remain glued to bordom and stagnation simply for a paycheck.
I am secure in myself and in trusted relationships, but I am not content to take them for granted ... to keep good relationships takes constant work and never really being content.
I have learned to be happy for the present in my comfort zone, but I am not afraid to get outside that zone, to think outside the box and create new things, new meaning, and new levels of contentment.
The paradox is that life is both a joy and a struggle, a blessing and a malediction. I do not understand why we must face these dual conditions. But I do understand that these things do not make me or control me ... rather ... I am content with who I am ... a person who is whole and independant of anything around me.
But, having said all that ... if I strike it filthy rich or gain great power, then it must have been God's will ... just kidding. But were great wealth or power to find its way to my door, or I find my way to its door ... then so be it ... either way, what I do with that wealth or power will be a new and interesting set of choices ahead of me, all of which will not necessarily make for contentment or happiness ... but have the potential to allow me to do something more, something different, something good, and something meaningful.
Jim Whitney
