Discontentment is a Choice

Is tomorrow really Monday? I’m tired of my job.

My boss doesn’t appreciate me.

Our house isn’t big enough.

I’m ready for new clothes. My wardrobe is so last season.

Discontent: a restless desire or craving for something you do not have; not happy or peaceful; dissatisfaction

I’m finding that more and more people are discontent with their lives. It can be too easy to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do. The need for change in the hopes that the feeling of discontentment will leave can drive people to constantly change their job, change their home, change their hairstyle, etc. I think before we make a big change, we need to check our hearts and examine our motives. If the need for change stems from a feeling of discontentment or dissatisfaction, maybe there’s a need to wait before a big change is made.

Ungratefulness leads to discontentment.

                As a mom, my discontentment doesn’t just affect me; it affects my kids. I become impatient and irritable. Little things make me lose my cool and my kids see this. My kids seem to see much more than I want them to see.

What I want my kids to see is a mom who looks for the good, even in situations that bring me irritation. I want my kids to see a mom who lives a life that is full of gratefulness. I want my kids to see a mom who might not always be happy about everything, but her thankfulness outweighs it. In order for my kids to see this, I have to make adjustments.

My adjustments:

*Look for the good. This is my motto for this school year. Teaching is hard. Parenting is hard. Keeping schedules straight is hard. Being positive is hard sometimes. But, there is something good in everything and I’m determined to find it.

*Everyone has influence. We have a choice. We can either be a Negative Nancy or a Positive Polly. You can either spread negativity or you can spread positivity. Everyone spreads something. What will you choose to spread?

*Teach thankfulness. Our kids need to be taught thankfulness because it’s not always the first reaction. I am starting to ask my kids every day what was good about their day and what are they thankful for. It’s not always easy but we are all learning that there is good in every day. Sometimes we just have to dig to find it.

“Teach your children to be grateful. Gratefulness is the antidote to discontentment…which will keep you broke.” Dave Ramsey

*Make changes as needed. If something is causing you to lose your joy, make a change. I get so irritated some mornings at morning drop off with parents not following the rules. So, instead of letting it steal my joy, I take a different route. It takes me about 5 extra minutes, but my peace is worth it!

*Be a cheerleader! When you are encouraging others, you don’t have time to think about being in a bad mood.

Discontentment is a choice, but so is joy. Choose joy!