A Retreat Journey : # 9 Count Your Blessings
There was no entry written on 22-24 December 2018 but to fill the gap, today I will be sharing my thoughts on fulfillment. The feeling of having enough and contentedness. I would like to address this topic because I have seen many people my age are in depression or having mental distress. They seem to be consistently seeking fulfillment.
I wrote this simple sentence on my notebook,
I feel fulfilled when...
So, I filled that sentence with a roof above my head, food enough to keep me from starvation and work that contributes something to the society. I recalled the days when I lived in abundance yet I wasn’t fulfilled. I still wanted more. My greed leads to disaster. Had I not went to the destruction path, I would have enough to keep me well fed for another 4 years, roofs for another 5 years, and more capital for my business. Shortly, I went from severely depressed to reaching the peak of my depression.
Only recently, I learned to manage my wants, to stop keeping with the Joneses and allow myself to not soak up into the material world. On the contrary, I like capitalism and the free market. I like working and make money but I always strive to do it as ethical as possible.
Now, I understand why some of my friends are never satisfied nor content. Why some of them are depressed, anxious, stressed, and worried despite having things they want. Yes, money is the thing they want yet they already have it. Only, their habit of keeping with the Joneses prevent them to feel enough nor count their blessings.
I had an ex-boyfriend who loved money and material possession. It was very difficult to tell him to stop buying things. I couldn’t say anything since he was working to buy those stuff. So, I was only able to watch him every time there was something new in the market.
These days, I always try counting my blessings. I have eyes, functional hands, and legs, working (but rather rusty)brain. I still have those to help me lead a normal life. Besides, keeping with the Joneses will only hinder us from achieving our own goal. Hence, I advise you to stop looking at others.
Count your blessing and find what makes you feel fulfilled. Live life with purpose, without regret, and with minimal stress.
Stay tuned for the next following days. If you want to read the previous journey, check out the links below:
- A retreat experience, what is it like living without internet connection ?
- A Retreat Journey : #1 The Why
- A Retreat Journey: # 2 The difference between Seek and Find
- A Retreat Journey: # 3 On Nature, Independent,and Interdependence
- A Retreat Journey: # 4 Cheat day
- A Retreat Journey: # 5 Share your favorite things !
- A Retreat Journey: # 6 Voluntarily Exchange and Confession
- A Retreat Journey: # 7 Sanctuary and Conversation with Dandelion
- A Retreat Jouney : # 8 Haunted Restaurant
Signed, M
You are very much right on this when it comes to those who actually have more than enough, but yet nothing satisfies.
Even sometimes those who count their blessings with a roof over their heads and more than enough to eat and a warm bed to sleep tend to be overly bondaged by fear and uncertainties of the future.
I suppose when one knows, awares "where you are heading" and takes that on with conscience and intent will one fill fulfilled with nothing to grumble on while looking at others
Posted using Partiko Android
@littlenewthings, Sorry it took me a while to reply. Life got in the way ^^
I agree with you, I used to be afraid of uncertainties of the future. But it really got me anxious so, I decided to change my approach towards life. I think we need to experience and listen ourself better so we know the best way to lead our life. However, I think comparison is healthy when it helps us to become the better version of ourselves. I think we have free will and even if say, we don't have legs or so, we can still do something.