Happiness Month! Day 8–Content

Today is Day 8 of Happiness Month and it will be continuing all month long. This all started at the Secret Society of Happy People and if you want to pop over there and become an Amused Member, you can get a Free 31 Types of Happiness poster. As you can tell by my daily #HappinessHappens tweets and Facebook posts, I’ve been a member for a long, long time!

Today, to add happiness to your life: Be Content! The apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” ~Phil. 4:11 & 12. The word “content” is a cool word. It can be an adjective to describe our state of being; it can be a verb indicating some action that we need to do; or it can be a noun which as we all remember from our grammar school is a “person, place or thing.”

As an adjective, “content” is used to describe a state of being, and it means to be in a state of peaceful happiness. Now looking at what the apostle wrote again, it is amazing to think that he learned to be in a state of peaceful happiness in times of need, hunger and want! As a verb, “content” is used to indicate the action of satisfying someone–so for example when you content your spouse’s request. And finally as a noun, “content” means two things: the actual state of satisfaction–such as “When we had our first baby it was a time of content”–and it can also mean the things that are held or included in something.

So now that we know all three ways that this word is used, you can add happiness to your life today by choosing to feel and express contentment. I realize this can be very difficult when your spouse is cheating, but what things in your life do you find satisfying right now? Is your home warm, inviting, and comforting? Do you eat nutritious, tasty food? Are your clothes new and comfortable? Do you have a warm, safe bed to sleep in? Are your children and pets near and safe? These are some of the things you can be satisfied with and increase the happiness in your life.

In addition though, begin to consider whether or not you expressed to your spouse an unending list of discontentment. Was the litany out of your mouth often ” I want a bigger house, more clothes, a new car, etc. etc.” until finally they felt like they could never make you happy? Today, whatever you discover you find contentment in…express it out loud to your spouse. Yes…even if they are in an affair, tell them OUT LOUD that something they did or something that made you happy. Most spouses try very hard to make their spouse happy, but if they never hear “Wow thank you!” or “You know when you held my hand at the park? That made me so happy!” why eventually they grow weary and give up. So in addition to finding things in which to be content, also find a way to communicate to your spouse out loud that you are satisfied.

Over the next days, we’ll be going over all 31 ways to Add Happiness Every Day. You know too often I hear young people say “He doesn’t make me happy” or “I wish she would make me happy” but you know what? Happiness is not something that someone else “makes” you feel. You make choices in your life that can affect your happiness….and ultimately you CHOOSE whether to be happy every day or not. You can also choose to do things that would add happiness to your life every single today.