Contentment

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony.

--William Henry Channing

Contentment is sometimes difficult. The grass is always greener in someone else's yard but, as the saying goes, even greener grass still has to be mowed. It's easy to say, "If I had such-and-such I would be happy." If money and things could bring true happiness, then why are the rich so often lost and unhappy? I heard once of a Buddhist woman who said, "Things bring only temporary happiness." We can feel joy, or even ecstasy, for but a moment and then, like the fleeting breeze, our happiness has passed. As Mr. Channing says in this quote, there is a difference between being wealthy and being rich. One requires much money while the other requires nothing more but to examine your life and find contentment "with small means."

Thanks to TulipGirl and Randi (I Have to Say) for posting this wonderful quote.