A Very Content and Happy Life

Last week, I watched a ten minute video about, and in the words of, Johnny Farese. I was struck by his credibility, transparency, and clarity, among other beautiful things. I was especially struck by his description of his life as being very content and happy. Content and happy...

My dad retired a few years ago and lives a happy and content life. He married my mom when they were both nineteen and has been content with his wife for over forty years. He worked as a skilled laborer to provide for his family, not to gain any personal prestige or status, and has been content to hang out with hard working (and incredibly funny) men all these years. He and my mom have lived in the same home since I was eight, content with one bathroom and the two-car garage he finally built for himself a few years back. He worked hard for his money and is content to spend it without much fuss.

Being content has nothing to do with being slothful or lazy and everything to do with being grateful and accepting hardship and suffering. When I look at Johnny and my father, I see two very hard-working men. They work hard within the container of their values and with what they control. Within this container is excellence. They are grateful for their lives, their opportunities, and their loved ones. They can see past limitations, and even more, to see good within their limitations. And there is suffering and sacrifice and disappointment. Yet, the pain somehow magnifies the good, bringing happiness.

Our family wants contentment. Without contentment, we are dissatisfied, entitled, grumpy, and unhappy, and all of this wreaks havoc on relationships. What helps foster contentment? Looking at Johnny and my dad, we can start by working hard toward excellence within our values and abilities and in order of our priorities. We need to be grateful for what we have, live within our means, and protect ourselves from outside sources that undermine our contentment. We also need to delay our gratification and suffer, understanding that this is purposeful and by God's design. We can also pray for contentment. I think that as with other mysterious commodities, there is an aspect of contentment that is a gift from God. Contentment is connected to the gift of faith and to the Peace that passes understanding.

I pray for a very content and happy life for all those I love.