I joined a MOPS group back in September. Once a month we meet for a book study and once a month we meet to listen to a speaker. A few weeks ago we heard a speaker talk about contentment and this week our book study was on the same topic! It was so fitting for this time of year. There are awesome opportunities to meet up for charity events, play groups, mom’s night outs, whatever you need from the group, it is offered to you!
This month we have been discussing contentment.
The dictionary gives the following definition: Contentment is ‘acknowledgement and satisfaction of reaching capacity.’ The level of capacity reached may be sought after, expected, desired, or simply predetermined as the level in which provides contentment.
Here are some of my notes from the book study and speaker.
Use your abundance of stuff to bless others—
Trying to be happy and at peace with the posessions we have. Using our resources to bless others. I loved this. I admit I love my house projects and the busy feeling I enjoy when I have a room to shop for and decorate. But being content in what we have and not needing anything else, for me, that takes some practice.
There’s always something to be thankful for—
Contentment breeds happiness and joy. Look at the blessings that surround you.
The hurried life—
Slowing down and clearing the calendar every once in awhile. Being content within the walls of your own home and your family members. Learning to say NO.
The season of life you are in—
Always looking past the present moment and waiting for the next phase, “I will be happy when the kids are all in school” or “Once the kids are a little older, I will be back to my old self.” Instead, finding peace and happiness in the present phase. Being there both physically and mentally for all the stages in your life.
The speaker shared her own experiences and challenged us to check out the book, A Thousand Gifts. She asked us to start our own list of one thousand things we are thankful for. I started mine the night I got home from the meeting, I haven’t gotten past 30. It’s harder than I thought it would be! I am going to include my husband in on this one to help!
From our book study title, The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shrirer
I recognized that by rushing thorough life, I’d been subtly devaluing those around me and the experiences I was involved in, not appreciating the importance and significance they bring to my life at this very moment, not grasping my responsibility for holding dear and treating well these gifts God has entrusted to me. Instead of embracing the privilege of being a blessing to my husband, my children, my friends and others, I’d been quietly communicating that I wanted them to change and speed up, to get busy being somebody else, someone who’s more in line with what I want and need, to hurry along to a place where they could make me happier than they currently do. That’s been me. Always looking toward the next moment, the next month, the next event, rately allowing myself the privledge of fully participating and embracing the happeningsthat were right before me for that day. Page 15
The rarity and uniqueness of a woman who has chosen to be satisfied with what she has, with who she is, and with where she lives is as uncommon and worth celebrating as a Texas snowfall at Christmas. She’s caught the faint whisper of a secret passed down through the ages, and she’s chosen to trust its wisdom and to frame her life accordingly to it. She’s a woman of substance because she’s a woman of satisfaction, a woman who’s chosen contentent over displeasure. Page 18
I don’t want to wish away this part of my life. I know that raising two little ones make for long days. I am grateful to be in this group, surrounded by positive women, reminding me of how wonderful life is at this very moment!
I hope that these little bits of wisdom from my experiences gives you a sense of serenity and peace in the life you are living. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
P.S. I hope you had fun with my Random Acts of Kindness challenge. The picture above is a quarter I left on a gumball machine.
Another highlight was taking my husband coffee to work with the kids in the middle of the day as a surprise.