Contentment. Who has it? Put your hand up if you have everything you want. A new computer? A better place to live, of your own perhaps? A new car? Perhaps a mate? Even more followers on WordPress? Or for someone to acknowledge your brilliant work? Yes, most of us are guilty of wishing for more of that.
With the internet came this wonderful tool for being recognized. Faster, further the more people the better. And more and more. As a society we’ve become greedier than ever before. Recognition has become the new consumer’s must-have. People are coming out of the woodwork to publish their photography and their art, their stories, and regardless of how good or how bad it is, it’s being consumed by those who want reciprocation.
Will it ever end? Will we drive ourselves into the grave staying up til all hours, sitting on our asses pounding out our work while the blood clots in our veins, eating too much or too little until one day someone finds us with a smoking keyboard… ‘But he did some great work!’ they’ll say. They may appreciate us when we’re dead. Only we died in discontentment, wanting more.
May 7, 2013 at 5:50 pm
While I feel this is the ‘me’ generation, resting on your laurels is not productive either. If you want to make a difference to this world, you don’t stop until you feel you’ve done as much as you possibly can, and more.
It doesn’t matter how much I seem to achieve, I know there’s just one more person would there who I could make a difference to. That’s what drives me.
Having said that, my material needs have grown much, much less as I’ve grown older. 🙂
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May 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Changing the world one soul at a time, while productive and fulfilling, has its own set of frustrations. How do you know when you’ve done enough to be able to go to sleep at night? Being driven is fine as long as you know when to say enough. 🙂
Sometimes I think material needs are the least of our worries. Good for you that you seem to believe that as well.
Thanks for commenting! 😀
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May 7, 2013 at 6:04 pm
It’s never really enough, true, but losing sleep over it is something I don’t do. 🙂 While I’m always looking for ways to reach others, I’m also trusting that things are as they need to be. I guess that’s all you can do.
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May 7, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Most certainly. 🙂
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April 21, 2013 at 12:25 am
What an interesting reflection on this whole business of blogging! I began in February this year, and have been blogging almost every day now. I didn’t really expect anything; I just wanted to write, write, write, because I hadn’t for years, despite saying I would. Then, came a few followers, a few “likes,” a few “comments,” and a couple of “awards.” I saw what the game was. And almost, almost fell into it. I mean, I look for a comment or a “like” after I post something, sure. I know people are reading (those tantalizing “stats” keep one guessing), but not many take the time to say anything, even though they’ll let me know on my FB page sometimes (if they’re friends, that is). I do want all that ego-boosting accolades — the likes, the reblogs, the “freshly pressed,” but I know it’s a game. I won’t play it to the detriment of writing, though. Writing comes first. If someone likes what I like, I’m grateful.
And I like what you write.
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April 21, 2013 at 10:08 am
Thank you 🙂
Amazing how quickly it becomes addictive, isn’t it?
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April 23, 2013 at 12:37 am
Yes, indeed. It’s like “The Secret Life of … ” in a good way.
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April 23, 2013 at 6:38 am
🙂
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April 15, 2013 at 10:15 am
Interesting. Is it possible to be content and want more? What exactly is wrong with wanting more? Does it depend what that “more” is? One person’s “more” isn’t necessarily the same as another person’s. Is one “more” acceptable (socially, culturally, morally) while another isn’t? You mentioned that as a society we are becoming greedier. Which society? When I found myself at an emotional crossroad, when all that mattered was who I lost, I discovered I asked a lot of these types of questions. Now, 4 years later, having made some choices (good and bad), I’m comfortable on the side of content. I usually ask myself, “If I died today, would I die happy?” My answer is “yes” regardless of the various “more’s” I may want. My nature is to strive, but I’ve learned to be happy where I am, too. I don’t believe it’s an either/or situation. The Dalai Lama seems to be a content person, but even he wants certain things. Does it matter that his wants are generally perceived as morally correct? Interesting, post.
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April 15, 2013 at 10:59 am
Our society of consumers sees better of everything coming out on a constant basis. Take technology for instance – the change never ends and if you lack the latest you’re left in the dust. Our society of artists, in whatever form, now has a never ending addictive source of recognition. The entire system breeds greed in one way or another.
Then there are those who are content with what they have and what they do. They are the wise ones.
To me, the opposite of contentment is desire. How can one be completely happy with what they have when they want more…of anything? To strive for something better is to work at it, and yes, I believe in striving for something you can be content in the fact that you’re doing everything you can to reach your ultimate goal. That is how I see the Dalai Lama.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment 🙂
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April 15, 2013 at 7:49 am
I suppose we are all very busy wanting to have a bigger impact, having more this and that. We somehow forget to put attention, however little, to BEING more. Being more of a friend, parent, name it.
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April 15, 2013 at 7:56 am
Very valid point. That’s when it comes down to priorities – they’re different for everyone. When more relationship quality is desired, more of everything else takes the back burner.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
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April 15, 2013 at 3:18 am
Woah…that was quite a post from you. I always wonder what “more” is because the list just seems to find a way to expand! Great questions 😀
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April 15, 2013 at 7:13 am
Thank you very much, and thanks for the follows 🙂
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April 15, 2013 at 12:45 am
Reblogged this on readful things blog and commented:
Linda has some thought provoking questions here. It will be interesting to see what everyone thinks!
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April 15, 2013 at 12:44 am
Great post with excellent questions!
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April 15, 2013 at 7:11 am
I’m always happy if I can inspire some thought 🙂 Thanks so much for the re-blog!
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April 15, 2013 at 10:47 am
Great article!
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April 14, 2013 at 7:44 am
I think the instant gratification of having wordpress followers and likes adds to the self-delusion that we are important, which eventually backfires when our lust for more, more, more cannot be satisfied and we realize that this, like just about every other public forum on the internet is just one more lonelyheart’s club.
When the desire to write and share interesting things becomes a personal challenge as to how many likes or icons one can accumulate by their post — I think that’s when creativity becomes slavery. At that point, might as well chuck all thoughts of contentment out the window because it’s no longer about creativity, it’s about competition and self delusion.
While writers write to be read — which is a good thing — it’s also important for us to know that what we are capable of artistically is not dependent upon smiley icons or strangers who find our blogs, read the initial top half of the first graf, click like and leave us with the impression that we’ve A)got friends, B)are read, C)are admired and D)are an important voice in the community. Because there’s always only one real star in this formula — it’s that first person who has the nerve to say something mean, cruel, rotten or offbase. Once we open ourselves up to public approval, we open ourselves up to public BS, too, and once trod upon, suddenly the game doesn’t look all that exciting anymore.
Also, look what one has to do here to get followers. You have to follow others. You have to comment on other blogs. You have to be actively involved in the pursuit of readership. It’s a job. Does it bring contentment or just the desire for more?
Sorry for taking up so much space here, I guess my mind just went off on a soft rant. Thanks for the area.
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April 14, 2013 at 8:03 am
It’s an endless circle – the more we get the more we want. It’s only the thickest-skinned of us who can handle the negative and the most dedicated who will work to get followers and likes. The drive for more comes down to our intentions, our end goal. Regardless, this isn’t the place for contentment.
Thanks for commenting.
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April 13, 2013 at 11:57 pm
I think that’s the general nature of desire. The next “best thing” is only that… until you get your hands on it. Then, the next “piece of candy” (Yes, it’s a Family Guy/James Woods reference!) comes into view.
Desire can never be permanently satiated – only temporarily over-stuffed. 😉
– Emperor Lu Bu
http://www.emperorlubu.com
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April 14, 2013 at 8:04 am
Right. And I like the way you got your link in there. 😉
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April 14, 2013 at 10:39 am
I do that a lot, but mostly on blogs I’ve never commented on before.
I couldn’t remember whether or not I had on yours, so…
I’m old. Gimme a break. ^_^
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April 14, 2013 at 10:46 am
Hey, no problem.
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April 13, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Bravo!
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April 13, 2013 at 8:24 pm
*curtsies*
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