It’s a truth, perhaps not nearly universally acknowledged as it should be, that the secret ingredient to enjoying life isn’t happiness but contentment. By definition, contentment is the calm satisfaction, the easy acceptance of one’s circumstances. Unlike the erratic elation of happiness, it is mellow, a sailboat anchored in a steady sea of blue.

Finding oneself in such a state is freeing, but how does one arrive at this blissful state of equilibrium without settling? And moreover, how does one avoid stagnation once they get there?

Dismantling the Modern Myth of ‘Deserving Better’

We are no strangers to the rhetoric in this day and age that we ‘deserve better’. This manifests in many aspects of our lives, from jobs to relationships and everything else in between. Our families, our friends, and our therapists remind us of this often. But there is a fine line between gratitude and complacency, between self-respect and entitlement. Somewhere between the mantras of seeking more and being thankful for what you already have lies the delicate art of contentment.

While modern culture often thrives on restlessness, we risk losing the ability to simply be, savouring enoughness without the robbery of comparison in the endless chase for “better.”

Rida: The Spiritual Dimension of Contentment

From a religious perspective, Islamic scholars define contentment, or ‘rida’, as a spiritual fulfillment and inner serenity. A continuation of submission, as Ibn Qayyim Al Jauziyah explains, its presence negates resentment.

But rida was never meant to be a call to passivity. In its truest sense, it encourages us to purify our desires, aligning them with a deeper trust that what is meant for you will not pass you by. This poignant shift in perspective propels us forward without frenzy. Contentment becomes a steady undercurrent rather than a still pond, fuelling intentional motion rather than inertia.

In the Steep

Contentment then, is not the absence of movement but rather the absence of inner turmoil. It invites us to act from sufficiency, not scarcity. We celebrate our wins and accept our losses while staying firmly rooted in trust.

Perhaps the art of contentment lies in recognising that growth and gratitude are not opposing forces but companions. To wake each morning thankful for where you are, yet curious about where you might go next. Contentment is not the end of the journey but the quiet confidence that you will get where you need to be in precise, divine timing.

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