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Can you be content and still continually strive for more?

by fab
7 replies
I've recently got myself in a theological bind. I'm a christian, I believe in God and the bible and I believe God truly wants each of us to lead happy lives and as part of that I think he wants us to be content with what we have and where we are. Contentment, kind of the opposite of greed right?

But, our society and especially our particular niche (IM, success, personal development) teaches us to set high goals and continually strive towards them, even keeping pictures of them by our bathroom mirror to stay focused on them.

So, how is it possible to feel content with what you have yet be continually focused on what you really would rather have (bigger house, nicer car, etc.)?

The other day I watched a video interview between Anthony Robbins, Frank Kern and John Reese. Anthony told a story of how he had a goal of getting his family into a really nice house, eventually he achieved that goal and felt great about it! Then someone invited him to their house and it was much larger, much nicer and Anthony said now his "dream house" felt like an old apartment (paraphrasing).

That was a sad story to me because Anthony allowed his friend's house to destroy his contentment and happiness with what he had achieved.

But, Anthony told the story like it was a good thing because now he had this larger house to strive towards, as if it was somehow bad that he had stopped striving once he bought that original house.

Any thoughts on this?
#content #continually #strive
  • Profile picture of the author AwesomePossum
    Well, to be perfectly honest I've never been happier and I'm still completely broke . Yet I'm working 9 to 10 hours a day simply on improving myself and I cherish every aha moment I have.

    So yes, I'm grateful for everything I have but I still have my goals to strive for.
    Once you accomplish your goals you can set others for yourself but does that take back all of your accomplishments up to that point?
    Nope, not one bit. Just remember to look at how blessed you are every day and you'll never have a problem
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    • Profile picture of the author fab
      Originally Posted by AwesomePossum View Post

      Well, to be perfectly honest I've never been happier and I'm still completely broke . Yet I'm working 9 to 10 hours a day simply on improving myself and I cherish every aha moment I have.

      So yes, I'm grateful for everything I have but I still have my goals to strive for.
      Once you accomplish your goals you can set others for yourself but does that take back all of your accomplishments up to that point?
      Nope, not one bit. Just remember to look at how blessed you are every day and you'll never have a problem
      Well said, thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Trey Walter
    Originally Posted by fab View Post

    So, how is it possible to feel content with what you have yet be continually focused on what you really would rather have (bigger house, nicer car, etc.)?
    That's hard to say. For me, those material things are not really important. Self development is way more important to me.

    So those high goals you are talking about are not related to money in my case. And I think they should not be related to money if you want to be content.

    Set being rich as your top-priority and you will never be content. That's my opinion on it.

    Think about that quote for a moment, it might help you to understand:
    "The things you own end up owning you." ~Tyler Durden (Fight Club)
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  • Profile picture of the author Marketstriker
    It's just a paradox. I feel contentment for everything I have, but anyway I feel happy when I achieve my goals and make my wishes come true. So I think I need both these things you are talking about to feel myself happier.
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  • Profile picture of the author HowardG
    There does not have to be a conflict. If we are made in the image of God then we are creators. If we are not creating, moving forward, we may as well not exist. Even going for more money can just be like the playing field that we are using to improve ourselves. Anything we do can be a trap if we allow it to dominate us. The secret is to do everything that we do to the very best of our ability and leave the outcome to God or the Universe.

    We are creators and can't just sit in white robes by a rippling stream being content.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aronya
    Originally Posted by fab View Post

    ...as part of that I think he wants us to be content with what we have and where we are.
    There is a difference between contentment and satisfaction. Dreams of bigger and better are what keep us alive and growing. Learning to be content with where we are in life is what allows us to be happy. It is not an either/or equation. The two things are not mutually exclusive.
    So, how is it possible to feel content with what you have yet be continually focused on what you really would rather have (bigger house, nicer car, etc.)?
    You could make the argument that if there is something you would really rather have, then you cannot be truly content in the first place. (Not necessarily my opinion.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Allicin
    I think the sky's the limit !! You could always strive for more... Doesn't mean you're not content or grateful for what you've got... Personally I'd like a nice house and financial freedom etc... Once I have that I'll strive to help as many charities as possible...So even if I made millions... I'd still strive for more cos soooo many people need help in this world!
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