The dictionary says it’s kind of like a “state of satisfaction.” Well, that lets us humans out doesn’t it? Sometime we feel content, sitting in the boat on a sunny day, or maybe having a cool drink as we sit on the patio, or sippin on a hot cup coffee with some friends. But it just doesn’t seem to linger long enough. Seems like we’re not content with a “little” contentment huh?
We always seem to want more or better. “Wish I had a newer Jeep, a little more money, better job, or it was a little warmer, the wind wasn’t so bad and my arthritis didn’t hurt as much.”
We sometimes wish the people around us would change. Wishing our kids would be more like us, friends would act differently in some way or another. We always want more material things; you know… bigger house, better car, bigger TV, or nicer furniture and so on.
I was visiting an old friend of mine years ago, you might remember him…Julius Granfor? They had the roller rink over in Moorhead and lived North of town…had a nice family and a lot of friends and a lot of really cool material things.
He and I were talking, and I said, “Man it must be nice having all the things you have, you got it all.” I’ll never forget his reply to me. “You know Tom, a lot of times wanting is more fun than having.”
I thought to myself, that’s easy to say when you got it all, but he went on to explain; You may want a new car, think about it often, and look forward to getting one someday… and that provokes some happy thoughts. You save money for that car and anticipate the happiness of owning it, showing it off and driving it. You’re imagination gives you a lot of enjoyment.
Well, the day comes when you drive it off the lot with that new car smell. It’s great, fun to drive too, as you go around to all your friends and relatives to show it off. That fun feeling lasts for up to a month in some cases. Then, it kicks in… the down payment left you with less money, insurance is more, everyone has seen it, you’re gonna be paying for it for a long time, and what have you got to look forward to now?
The real point is, you may have looked forward to having that new “thing” for a long time… even years and now you got it and the biggest enjoyment about it dwindles away in a short time. Julius was right… sometimes wanting is more fun than having. Sometimes a relationship can be the same way huh? Contentment is a pretty good thing!