“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of,” said the wealthy, well-known actor.
Of course, I thought. He’s loving the high life—for now—and maybe feels guilty that 97% of humanity will never live the dream he’s privileged to enjoy.
But what he said next shocked me.
“They should do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that’s not the answer.”
Who made that startling statement? A man just about everybody in America recognizes on sight: Jim Carrey.
I wonder if Jim knew how close he came to echoing the words of King Solomon?
(“When I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun”–Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV.)
From ancient times to today, man has strived to find happiness by obtaining the next desired possession, experiencing the next enticing adventure, or pursuing the next enthralling relationship—even though any success is short-lived.
When will we learn?
Contentment results when we:
Want what we have.
(“The things you take for granted someone else is praying for.”
— Anonymous)
When our children were eight, eleven, and thirteen, my pastor-husband was appointed to a church in an area of South Florida known for its golf courses, beaches, and wealth.
That last characteristic was most challenging for our children. Many of their classmates arrived at school in expensive cars. They wore clothing with exclusive labels, owned all the latest gadgets, and traveled to exotic locations.
Though Eric, Heather, and Jeremy could see that consumerism did not guarantee happiness, they still struggled with the inequity.
The younger two, Jeremy and Heather, were thirteen and sixteen when they joined a crew of teens and sponsors for a one-week trip to the Dominican Republic. Their responsibilities included painting at an orphanage and interacting with the children.
The next summer they repeated the trip. And as a result of witnessing true poverty, their outlook on life was dramatically transformed.
(Heather is the blonde on the left, in case you weren’t sure!)
Months later, Heather and I were riding together in our van and stopped at a red light. We weren’t even talking about those weeks spent at the orphanage. But a decked out sports car pulled up next to us and after a pause, Heather wistfully said, “The cost of that car would feed so many people in the Dominican.”
Such a dramatic shift of perspective had occurred in her heart. Jeremy’s too.
However, over time contentment easily fades. We must:
Find the positives of each day.
I’ve started a new section in my quiet time notebook: “A Celebration of Small Things.” Maybe you’d like to join me? Each evening I’m recording at least one thing that gives me a sense of contentment. The first entry on Monday was daffodils.
You see, last week a bitter cold snap here in Ohio ruined much of the early spring flora. Even the hardy daffodils lay bowed over to the ground.
However, they were not defeated! When the temperature rose above freezing again, most of their floral stems stood tall once more. Fluted cups remained open and delicately ruffled; petals fanned outward with only a slight curl at the tips.
I’m so very grateful a soupçon of spring has survived.
(“Sweet are the thoughts that savor of content.
The quiet mind is richer than a crown.”
– Robert Greene, English author, 1558-1592)
I’m discovering Robert Greene was right. Sweet thoughts do produce the treasure of a quiet mind.
* * * * * * * * * *
What a delight, Father, to give you thanks and praise for your abundant gifts—the beautiful, the pleasant, the heart-warming, the humorous. Every day is filled with blessing because of your love, compassion, and faithfulness. My heart overflows with gratitude as I contemplate your goodness!
(Psalm 9:1-2, 103:8; Colossians 2:6-7)
What small thing causes your heart to overflow with thankfulness? Share your choice in the comment section below!
(Art & photo credits: www.flickr.com; http://www.slideshare.net; http://www.truevined.com; Nancy Ruegg (2); http://www.oldquotes.com; Myra Johnson at http://www.picturemythoughts.com.)
From the Inside Out 
What a neat idea! A journal to record “Celebration of small things”. I have just come from our Encouragers Group meeting (Grief/Loss) and I feel so blessed to be part of this ministry. I probably get more out of this than the other participants. It is a small group but a loving group and the exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings is truly a blessing. Nancy , you continue to inspire me.
Love to you and Steve.
I’m so glad the Encouragers Group is still meeting. I continue to pray for all participants to be strengthened through the mutual support of one another. Sounds as if THIS prayer is being answered “yes!” I’ve also prayed you and Betsy are blessed as you lead. Apparently another “yes.” Praise God!
great idea and a source for contentment. I smiled at Jim Carrey’s wisdom too. Just watched Bruce Almighty last weekend. Truth in that film too. What I will remember most from this post though is what your daughter said/observed. You know there was a deep transformation there occurring when she said that. Have a blessed weekend, Nancy!
Thank you, Jean. You’re right about deep transformation. Sometimes it’s occurring and we’re totally unaware. Praise God he accomplishes more than all we ask or imagine!
Love your idea about recording a contentment item every morning. May I borrow it? Thanks so much for your reflections. -C.D.
Of course, Carole! Later we can compare lists! 🙂
Nancy, my ‘small thing’ is yellow, too–forsythia branches! We haven’t had the cold snap you Ohioans experience, but oh, all the Seattle rain makes one think the sky will be forever gray.
Color is such a gift! (I like the addition of recording one small thing siting at the end of the day.)
I love yellow–it’s a close second to my favorite: aqua. “Color is such a gift!” you say. Oh, yes! I’ve got a blog post idea in the back of my head (still rather fuzzy) about the colors of winter. Brilliant hues are more difficult to find in nature amidst all the brown and gray, but I found all except purple. Maybe that’s why some of the first flowers of spring are purple, like the crocus, because that color has been missing for several months!
Thank you, Nancy, for this beautiful reminder! You echo what Mary and Bill Sweeney talk about so very powerfully in an interview on Moody Radio in Chicago. May I share this with you? I know you appreciate Bill like I do. https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/chris-fabry-live/2017/03-2017/2017.03.23-the-weakness-and-strength-of-bill-sweeney—the-lost-sermons-of-spurgeon/
Thanks for faithfully doing your part in sharing the Real Reason for our Hope and why we are here! I so appreciate you!
Thank you for sharing the broadcast with me. I used to listen to Moody all the time when we lived in FL. In fact, Chris Fabry often accompanied me on my 30-minute commute home from school! I’ll enjoy hearing his program about Bill and Mary Sweeney. (Yes, I AM a big fan!!) Thank you also for your encouragement, Heidi; it means SO much. I appreciate you, too!
Lovely, Nancy—the post and the nightly recording of one small thing.
And this: “Contentment results when we want what we have.” Those wrods arer ringing inside me (may they never stop!).
Thank you, Laurie. I read the advice, “Want what you have,” in two different places; don’t know who said it first. But there’s a lot of truth in those four words and a lot of impact as we apply them. I’m with you. May they ring inside me and never stop!
Oh my goodness, I just read your lovely reply and am cringing over my typos! May the wrods arer keep ringing in me too! lol
Oh well. Chalk it up to working late! Your tender-hearted meaning was clear. That’s what counts! 🙂
Contentment via perspective.
Thank you, Nancy.
A brilliant summary, Carol, in just three words!
Loved this entire post. First of all, regarding the quiet mind…I sometimes tend to ‘overthink’ things, instead of reveling in the simplicity of an inspired thought.
Secondly, my great-niece Brooklyn (who is a sophomore at Ashland University, studying to be a nurse) just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic where she served during her spring break! It’s a little thing having you mention the D.R. but it just shows me that I read your latest at just the right time!
Thank you, Cheri. How about that, your niece making a trip to the Dominican Republic just before this post! You know how I feel about coincidences–most of the time they’re God-incidents!
I loved this post…one of my small blessings is Sunday afternoon naps and rest (I recently even decided not to make the bed on Sunday!) I loved the quote “The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.” I often share with others your long history of writing a “God is faithful journal”. Thanks for the reminder of how often we take marvelous blessings for granted. And, thank you for continuing to encourage and inspire me! You are such a blessing. ❤
First, ‘love the promise you make to yourself with that unmade bed on Sunday morning! Second, praise God he can use these posts to encourage and inspire you, Lisa. YOU are a blessing to me!!