contentment

My best friend called me the other day. We used to have regular phone calls to go over the books we were reading and talking about what we had learned or had gleaned and it was a good season in our lives. And then I had Cap’n. Our phone calls became less frequent as a result since I was taking care of an infant and she was getting established in her career.

Have you ever had a conversation that was refreshing and just what you needed and you’re happy that it happened? Well, that was this call. It was refreshing to hear her voice, to catch up with her and what she’s doing with her boyfriend and career and how she’s attempting to get healthier by eating at home more and books. We always talk about books.

But we also talked about simplifying. This idea is one that simultaneously brings me joy and intimidates me. I am not as bound to stuff as I once was, but I also have a hard time voluntarily letting go of it. So I told her my one complaint about the Marie Kondo method of simplifying. “My toothbrush does NOT bring me joy, and yet I keep it around because it’s kinda important to my health.” Come to think of it, I could have used insulin as an example. Giving myself multiple shots of a hormone my body has decided it doesn’t want to produce does not give me joy. At all. I’d be ok never having to give myself another injection ever, but, if I am to live, I need to take those shots. ((disclaimer. I’ve never read any Kondo books. I have no interest to read them. My desire to simplify is not because of anything a Japanese minimalism guru can tell me.)) My bestie agreed with me. Eventually, after a great conversation regarding The Little Prince, which I’ve not read since middle school because I didn’t enjoy it, but now, I want to re read it to see why I didn’t like it. Someday, maybe soon, I’ll read it again. I honestly don’t remember anything about it other than I did NOT like it. At least I think it was that book…. It may have been a different book altogether and I should just pick it up. This was a part of my conversation with her. We don’t follow very good paths all the time, and maybe that’s why we are such great friends!

Anyway, she texted me later that day. “Maybe contentment is a better word.” YES! Contentment is a great word! My insulin doesn’t bring me joy but I’m content in what I have because I am able to live a life full of joy as a result of taking it.

Paul writes in Philippians, “I have learned to be content in all circumstances,” and that is a lesson I’m still working on. Am I truly content when I have great needs? or when I have enough? Am I content with what I possess? Or am I seeking more? Am I content with my life right now as it is?

Now to ponder on these things.

In Him, –Karen