I didn’t stay up until midnight to ring in the new year this year. In fact, I don’t usually stay up past 10:30 p.m. any night … my beauty sleep is a priceless commodity. So I had my beauty nap, woke up in 2016 to enjoy a day footless and fancy free.
As is our custom, we go to a movie every New Year’s Day (and this was the year for Star Wars). I always enjoy the previews for upcoming releases. This is going to be a blockbuster year for sci-fi, aliens, military … all with the theme of good vs. evil. After the movie, we walked around a very busy mall, packed with shoppers, all eager to spend their Christmas money. That was Day 1 of 2016.
Day 2 of 2016 found me at a memorial service for a sweet friend I hadn’t known long. As I was sitting listening to the eulogies and service I was struck with the disparity between Day 1 of the New Year and Day 2. On Day 1, there were thousands out seeking material pleasure with all the “gusto” they could muster. On Day 2 we celebrated a person’s life on this earth, the impact she had on everyone she came in contact with, and the joyous reunion she is now enjoying for eternity.
I am guessing it is discontent that leads to many unhealthy habits in our lives. After all, materialism is a behavior born out of discontent with our worldly possessions. We see ads daily for bigger homes, nicer cars, and better clothes. We fall prey to the advertising trap without realizing it.
Materialism isn’t the only unhealthy habit from discontent. Don’t forget about dishonesty, greed, feuds, abuse. Always looking for “something” or “someone” to make one happy. If discontent is the cause of so many problems, then perhaps contentment is the cure. And if contentment is the cure, gratitude must surely be a gateway to contentment.
So this year no more self-help books for me, just a daily dose of gratitude toward a cure of contentment. I hope to fill my “Blessings Jar” many times over.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
