Contentment

So …

Mick Jagger said it a long time ago (feel free to sing while you read): "I can't get no…Satisfaction".

Why not?  Need more money?  Need more popularity? Need more stuff?  Need more number 1 hits?

We all suffer from the problem.  We want a nicer car, a bigger house, more clothes, more vacations, more thrills… more stuff.  So what is contentment? Are "need and desire" the same?

With our massive economic down turn, (which is global), we have all begun to take another look at our desires vs. our necessities.  As the reality of the value of our "wishes" has come into question, our desires have begun to be reshaped.  We do know… we all actually need food, water and shelter…simplistic, but true!!

Food… We use coupons, shop at the Costco's of the world, eat more meals at home, make larger quantity purchases of paper goods, etc.  All of these changes are good! Good because we are learning to conserve, and good because we have begun to get a grip on the waste of time, money and product.

Water… Water used to be a no brainer!  Water the lawn, take as long in the shower as possible, wash the car, (leave the hose running!),… water used to be the least of our concerns. But times have changed. Water bills have soared, restrictions have been mandated by municipalities, water quality is compromised in some areas and future supply has come into question. Reality has come, and everyone knows water is a necessity, but not a luxury. We have learned recently, it is not something to be wasted.

Shelter… In the past, shelter has not always been looked at as a necessity. We have grown the American Dream to include necessary "McMansions" in epic numbers. Working hard to earn "high-end" homes is commendable. But today I have witnessed that exercise is being questioned by many who can afford them. Property taxes have significantly increased, heating costs are beginning to soar, maintenance costs and building square footage has resulted in a refreshing trend that includes new terms such as: "green", down-sizing", "xeroscape", "energy efficient", "commute time", "remodel", "refinance", "mortgage-free", etc.

Aside from the financial strain and stress this economic downturn has had on many, the economic downturn has also helped many redefine their "needs", their "necessities" and their "desires". The new order in "need vs. want" is an enjoyable awareness to entertain. It has allowed us all to consider the exchange of quantity for quality. We can always want for "more", but more is simply not equal to better … or to contentment. How good is that? 

As we enter the New Year, I hope we each think about where value really is, what our needs really are, and what is driving our quest for more.  

The result? That's the good part… it's Contentment!

DWS