On Contentment.

Looking back at my other Wednesday topics, I have been rolling through themes that are attitude related.

2 Nov: Confidence.
9 Nov: Happiness.
16 Nov: Independence.

My next topic for the attitude series is Contentment.  Contentment is closely related to gratitude, so it's appropriate for a Thanksgiving Eve topic.  I remember how I felt when I first learned the word content.  Sometime in middle school or early high school.  I seemed to identify with the word.  It was pleased and satisfied, but not haughty or indulgent.  It was comfortable.  It seemed to be a word that was mild and a little bit private.  Contentment doesn't require other people to approve or pay attention.  It can be satisfied just as it is.

Contentment comes of being cheerful regardless of what negatives you encounter.
It allows you to be happy for other folks' good fortune.

Maybe it's a sub-category of charity: Corinthians 13:4

^aCharity ^bsuffereth long, and is ^ckind; charity ^denvieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up

Contentment is not the same as settling for less, nor is it the same as being resigned to fate.  Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave a talk about this during the LDS general conference in April 2000.  He talked about allotments that we have been given during our lives, wherein some are allotted poverty, slavery, riches, education.  The main question is can we make the most of what we are allotted?

In England, space has premium value.  Houses are packed close together, pristine forests don't exist, and every available acre is put to some productive use.  I guess that's what comes of living on a small island that has been inhabited for several thousand years.  Many houses have the front "garden" paved over or filled with gravel, and if they have any semblance of a back garden (yard), it is largely shaded by buildings or fences, and not much space worth cultivating.  Citizens can sign up for an allotment of land to grow their gardens.  I've found that many of the New England towns also offer this service, wherein you can rent a plot for the summer with access to sunlight and water spigots.  Our town's 27x27 plots are a fixed constraint, but clever planning can turn that area into something delightful.

from here.

Elder Maxwell:

"Life’s necessary defining moments come within our allotments, and we make “on the record” choices within these allotments. Our responses are what matter. Sufficient unto each life are the tests thereof! (see Matt. 6:34).

"...Thus, within our allotments we see how the saintly display kindness even within barbed-wire circumstances, yet others have barbed attitudes even within opulence. Meanwhile, the discontented continue to build their own pools of self-pity, some Olympic size."

 With Thanksgiving upon us, I reckon it's an appropriate time to consider what our earthly allocation has been so far, and acknowledge The Giver of all blessings with reverent poise and quiet assurance of contentment.