Monday 15 November 2010

Is there a difference?

Following on from my previous blog, and thank you for replies, but I'll carry on dieting for the now and buy a thicker jumper for the winter, LOL
Now this blog is about  State of Mind........ I wondered if there's a difference between Happiness and Contentment?
When I was younger and my girls were growing up, we didn't have much money,looking back , I was, I think Happy, but not Content, as we had a future and looked forward to when we had the new car, the bigger house, the new curtains,  washing machine etc. We were young and had come to England from Scotland for a new start, we felt the world was our oyster, work was plentiful and we had our health.
Now I am older,[much] my first husband dead and the other ... well let's not go there, why spoil a good blog.
I have pretty much what I need, the curtains , the car, washing machine etc, I could say I am content, but am I happy? I'm not so sure, my girls are now  married and their children making their own way, I haven't got anything to work towards, and let's face it, nearer the end of my life rather than the beginning, don't get me wrong I'm not having a moan here, but just wondering if there is a difference and which is the better state of mind. Any thoughts?

8 comments:

  1. Gandhi once said, "Man falls from the pursuit of the ideal of plan living and high thinking the moment he wants to multiply his daily wants. Man's happiness really lies in contentment."

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  2. Well, I did ask for a comment and that was quite profound, thank you, makes one think.

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  4. deleted through my skill as a typist... ;-)

    anywho ... I know you're not moaning, but one does question if one is content, and if it should lead to a feeling of happiness? Not necessarily, one settles and is content but happiness is recognisable as an all encompassing feeling that you have everything in your life you could ever need to make you happy. BUT being human, we always seem to feel we want more, are searching for more... that this or that will make a difference to our feelings of self worth, of self knowledge about what we want from our lives. There is no 'one' answer, we all have differing thoughts as to what makes us happy.
    That makes no sense now I read it back...but maybe you know what I mean?.. xPenx

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  5. If you are content with your life I think you are happy Arlene. But as Pen says we are always looking for more and search we may , but why waste time wondering and searching when all the time you are truly happy.
    Sheilax

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  6. I think we're all pretty much on the same wave length with this one, maybe contentment also comes with, dare I say' age Pen you could do a nice evocative poem on it. Thanks for feedback

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  7. Hi Arlene,
    Your situation first one: you were younger age of course looking forward to more for your home and very naturally in that way too.

    Am I happy?: Well I can give to you simple answer if your hubbby still with you then you would be 100% happir because you have every things? just keeps content with yourlife and
    keeps it up blogging LOL!
    Please take care,
    Michiko

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  8. I think I'm happily content, or contentedly happy.

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