Contentment

Contentment: a state of happiness and satisfaction

Contentment is a noun. It’s a state that is overlooked and underestimated. We are trained to live as a verb…to want more, to be more and to have more. Nothing is ever “good enough”.  Everyone is trying to keep up with the Jones’…even the Jones’!  Who are the Jones’!?

It’s ironic I write that as I hate that phrase…”good enough”…It seems like settling…taking the lazy way out.

No one can sit and be still; to be present and relish what is right in front of them. There is no appreciation for the here and now. Everyone inflates their importance, their wealth, their intelligence, their athleticism, their creativity…and the list goes on and on.

What I’ve learned.  It doesn’t have to shine to be gold…

My world is a little different. Autism somehow makes you see through the inconsequential. Through the “things” that everyone values but really carry no value at all.

The most important moments in my world that bring contentment are raw and unedited but are born of more tenacity, grit and grace than could ever be acknowledged.

Contentment…it’s not a concession for your dreams and aspirations…it’s enjoying the ride and appreciating life along the way. It’s internal…it’s not a satisfaction driven by external sources-your social status or likes of a post, having the perfect outfit or the dream vacation. It’s knowing yourself and appreciating your strengths and accepting your flaws. Contentment is knowing what matters and living in true value.

I’d like to say I’m content.  It’s taken me some time to get here but I’ve found some peace.  It’s in my son’s crooked smiley grin…in knowing he’s “nailed” it and yelling out “NOICE!” to celebrate a win.

Don’t think we aren’t going for broke in this world to pave a future for my son…we will change the world for him…but we’ve learned to enjoy the moments of the journey…especially the sweet ones.  No pomp and circumstance could ever compete with with that crooked smile.