Nearly a decade ago, I met a man called Jeff at a beach-side fair in Port Douglas. He sat outside a caravan, looking extremely content. We struck up a conversation. He is one of the happiest men I have ever met. Our conversation made such an impression that I can still recall his laughter, the sun-kissed lines on his face and his soothing voice as he stroked his beard. Jeff lived in a caravan. He worked sensibly at the local yards, hung out with the men for a beer in the evenings and appreciated the natural beauty of Australia's northern beaches.
Now, if any of us spent an hour with him, we could come up with a list of things Jeff should be doing. "He could do so much more," we would say. It's not enough for him to live a simple life and enjoy the 24 hours evenly distributed to every man, woman and child on the planet. What about family, the security of a house, an emergency fund for a rainy day, a better car, a better job, a better lifestyle? We are often so good at psycho analysing others' short comings. Jeff couldn't care less. He didn't seem selfish. Quite the contrary, from his description of his lifestyle, this guy was a giver!
Recently, I received this story in an email:
Are you content? Truly content just the way you are? Without any change required? It's important to ask yourself. Because if you are not content with yourself, you won't be content with your relationships. The people around you will, in your eyes, always be lacking something.
Jeff would obviously face difficulties in his journey. Instead of focusing on how we can fix the happy Jeffs in our life, let's for a moment look into the mirror at our own flaws and insecurities. Now, let's get comfortable with how we are and be content with the rich blessings of our lives.
Now, if any of us spent an hour with him, we could come up with a list of things Jeff should be doing. "He could do so much more," we would say. It's not enough for him to live a simple life and enjoy the 24 hours evenly distributed to every man, woman and child on the planet. What about family, the security of a house, an emergency fund for a rainy day, a better car, a better job, a better lifestyle? We are often so good at psycho analysing others' short comings. Jeff couldn't care less. He didn't seem selfish. Quite the contrary, from his description of his lifestyle, this guy was a giver!
Recently, I received this story in an email:
Are you content? Truly content just the way you are? Without any change required? It's important to ask yourself. Because if you are not content with yourself, you won't be content with your relationships. The people around you will, in your eyes, always be lacking something.
Jeff would obviously face difficulties in his journey. Instead of focusing on how we can fix the happy Jeffs in our life, let's for a moment look into the mirror at our own flaws and insecurities. Now, let's get comfortable with how we are and be content with the rich blessings of our lives.