There is this story of a boy who is sitting by the banks of a river one day fishing. He hears a jet plane fly overhead. He looks up wistfully and says, “I wish I could be that pilot flying up there in the sky”.
Many years later, sure enough the boy becomes a pilot. One day while in the cockpit of the plane he looks out the window and sees the familiar river below, snaking away into the sea. He can just pick out his favourite fishing spot of those bygone days. “O, how I wish I could relax by that river again and fish all day.”
‘The grass is always greener on the other side’. So goes the old adage.
It is a story of chasing dreams with the expectation of finding happiness in the attainment of those dreams, whatever those dreams may be for you.
We are born into this big chase. The eternal pursuit of happiness as they say, but it has proven as elusive as ever. Just when we think we have a good hold of it, it leaves us empty. Like trying to catch the wind.
The phrase ‘pursuit of happiness’ is a misnomer. It implies that happiness is a destination. A final end goal. It is not. Happiness cannot be the journey either. If anything, it is your attitude on the journey.
True happiness exists when one finds contentment, and contentment has to come from within oneself. It is the peace of mind one has in spite of external factors and circumstances surrounding her. It is a deliberate choice to be content.
To be content does not equate to being resigned to one’s fate. Being content does not mean you take whatever life has dealt you with, and submit and roll over and die.
No.
Being content means to get your buckets and hoses out coz it’s time to water the grass on your side, so you can get it just as green or even greener. Heck you can grow a rainforest if you want to.
…
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11,13
Musings with Niicaux 