Contentment is elusive.

By Younas Chaudhary

Finding contentment is an elusive dream. We aspire for it daily, but it runs away from us all the time.

As a young man, I was not content. I was hungry for money and the more I chased it, the hungrier I became. I was aggressive and worked hard. But over the last two decades, I have realized that just working hard will not get you the happiness and contentment you desire.

Once I stopped comparing myself with others, and lessened my hunger to amass more money, I found that I could focus more on what I wanted in life rather than what life wanted from me.

Today, I am a much happier person though I cannot say that I am fully content.

A simple sheep herder, named Fazli, back in my village was a content man. Fazli had no big ambitions or materialistic aspirations. He was content with his herd of sheep, his simple lifestyle, and his family. I could see from his face that he had everything he wanted and more.

Later in life, Leo, a Kansas farmer gave me my first break in the oil and gas industry. Leo was easygoing, cheerful, had no worries and was satisfied with what he had.

Whenever I got fed up with my relentless worldly pursuits, I would think of their simple but happy lives and try to follow their daily routines. What do they have that I do not?

I believe that happiness and contentment go side by side. Simple gestures of gratitude and faith in our creator bring us happiness and a feeling of contentment. Our lives are too fickle, and anything can happen anytime.

I am sure we all are seeking happiness and contentment, here are a few tips:

Have a clear, positive purpose in life.
Stop making comparisons with others, instead, focus inward, appreciate what you already have, and find what you want out of your own life.
Be grateful for the little things in life.
Be humble, stay grounded especially if you are blessed with wealth and worldly luxuries.
Thank your creator every day for the blessings you already have. Every morning when I wake up, I am thankful to the creator for giving me another day of healthy life.
Working too hard and aggressively going after the next material thing will lead you further away from contentment.
Share your expertise, guide others, and help them lead better lives.
Do not fall for quacks, gurus, and medicines promising contentment. You are the master of your own fate.
Achieving a sense of contentment comes with age, and you need to have the patience for it.

I pray that we all be content with what we have! Stay blessed.

Disclaimer

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated. Further, I make no warranty regarding the accuracy or effectiveness of my recommendations, and readers are advised to consult other advisors as well as their own judgments in making business decisions.