The Right Amount Of Discontent

This is indeed a topic close to my heart!

KV (my boyfriend) and I often discuss on this aspect of human contention vs complacence. I do feel very inferior compared to a lot of people in my life. The skills and talents most possess in my circle are something I cannot even dream because I need another janma to conceive such bounty of talents, flair and pursuits to even dream.

That pricking discontent so far has been very motivating in my life to pick up things or explore stuff that I never would have on my own. But for the people in my life this week, I would never have read Octavio Paz's poetry, known about Flynn effect, debated on Cold Equations, heard about Atul Gawande's Being Mortal, sang "Glocca Morra", heard about The Old Patagonian Express, read about Alfred Kinsey's report on human sexuality, explored homosexuality in The city and the pillar, connected Gone with the wind with the "Lost Cause of the Confederacy", twined Uncle Remus with Uncle Sam, decoded Dulce et Decorum est poem by Wilfred Owen, reached out to Daneel Olivaw (a fictional robot), found out there's Osman Lins in Brazil, lamented on elgin marbles, realised about Hermaphroditus (Aphrodite + Hermes), listened to Bob Monkhouse's jokes, learnt about Lucrezia Borgia's scheming luncheons, marvelled at Disney's nine old men, read Stanley Fish's speculation on humanities, stumbled on "Unintended consequences" theory proposed by Robert Merton, travelled through cosmos of Sagan, and deGrasse, and also Humboldt, enjoyed flash fiction in Filboid Studge by Saki, conversed with Anansi spider in African folklore and so on ...

With such discontent where is contentment?
The joy and contentment is in looking back at the footprints and realizing what a journey it has been. I'm sure the same is applicable in other aspects of life (health, wealth, relationships, necks, monkeys)

Cyclic management. One creates discontent, conquers, re-creates and the cycle repeats.

 

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Hi Rihana,

We don't have control over all things in life. In that case, we need to count our blessings and move on.

However , we do have control over certain things. In such cases, we need to strive for progress and improvement.

I may not have the control over where was I born and to whom I have born. But I do have a choice on how to live this life.

In simple, let go of everything which you can't control. Accept the discontent and move on. But, if we can make a choice , by all means work towards the betterment and we don't have to settle for discontent.

Regards,
Vani

 

Hey stranger of the cyber chorus! A million years since I bumped into you. Where have you been?
Are those pom-poms from buy one and get two free offer in garage sale?

 

How should I know? You are the 'cyclic manager'!

 

(a) Start: New goals to conquer.
(b) Spirit: I can do it.
(c) Hurdle: Out of control, help!
(d) Focus: Where is my goal?
(e) Reflection: What am I doing wrong?
(d) Resilience: I'm back!
(c) Strength: Let me strive.
(b) Persistence: Almost there.
(a) Endgame : Pom-pom!


Your Cim "in" and "as"
Cyclic Manager

 

A sense of humour restores perspective. Discontent cannot survive a wry look at one's blessings.
However, the banishment of discontent does not automatically restore the opposite. Shame, self-disgust, a promise to change and strive more, insidious discontent once again...all these might be the stepping-stones to actual contentment.
And it takes a supreme act of willpower to get to this stage of peaceful happiness, stay in it, and frequently return to it.

 

Pompoms & dancing like nobody's watching also help

 

@Rihanna
"Is being content while also working on improvement, a conscious effort or is it a natural result of personality, attitude and circumstances?"

Good question. I'm off to ponder it.