Contentment

I'm ok with this

And also I'm ok with this 

Because sometimes it looks like this

Google defines contentment as a state of happiness and satisfaction. Deep sigh... what we all long for. 

I think I am more disturbed by Google's definition of discontentment.  The definition of discontentment is a "restless desire or craving for something one does not have."   I'm pretty sure that is a similar definition to another word..."jealousy."  We shouldn't be jealous of things we don't have, but if I don't have that restless desire for something else am I considered lazy?  Ryan and I struggle with two different attitudes. I am happy and content with where I am. I don't have a inner drive to "go big or go home."  My drive is to go far enough to get it done.  I am far from lazy. I work constantly and rarely sit down. My fitbit is proof.  But should I be desiring more? Right now my schedule is full of picking up the house, laundry, running kids to practice, making sure we are all eating dinner together, scheduling babysitters, getting to work in one piece and oops almost out of gas so fill up my tank, and don't forget it's Christmas so the presents, FOR EVERYONE (including the long lost relative that I see but once a year...on Christmas).

My husband, Ryan's inner drive is completely opposite.  He believes you don't get anywhere in life if you don't want more. I don't say that negatively, because successful people are people full of drive, direction, vision and ambition.  Well, now, I feel, we have to define successful.  Success can mean "having attained wealth, position, or honors" (dictionary.com), but also, "the favorable or prosperous termination of endeavors" (dictionary.com)  Ryan won't stop doing something until it has a prosperous end. He wants to finish well the job before him.  But people with vision don't stop there, they see the future and what else needs to be done to gain the position/honors and a favorable end.  I only see the next day and what has to be done by tomorrow to make tomorrow a successful day.  Am I unsuccessful because I only see the day or the week? Ryan, a success, sees two years from now with only a blink at tomorrow.  I often tell him, "I'm living in today, here, in Hart, Michigan, I have no idea where you are today, but if you would like to join me; I'm here."

Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor. 

What do I think? I think because of this verse that either unending drive or contentment is appropriate as long as you are pursuing righteousness and kindness. The key word is not righteous (although we must striving for things that are and being it constantly) the key word is "pursue."  It's an action word.

STOP RIGHT THERE... it’s an action verb. YOU CAN'T JUST SIT THERE AND HOPE FOR SUCCESS.
You can't just wait for righteousness
You can't assume you have it
You can't just have it in a sedentary life
You can't NOT look for it! (double negative--how many people just cringed?)

If you want to find the most amazing life imaginable, pursue righteousness
If you want honor, pursue righteousness
If you want to keep contentment, pursue righteousness
If you want to soar like eagles and succeed, pursue righteousness
If you want to be righteous, pursue righteousness
If you want lo look for something better, pursue righteousness

On a side note, pursue is a really, really weird word to spell and read...pursue…it just looks weird doesn't it?  It's almost in the same category that "moist" and "slacks" are in.