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A Better You
by Jo Ann
Fore
A
Season of Discontent
In
New York City last week, the sidewalks were rampant
with people, as usual. But I noticed something
different this time. It wasn’t just business
as usual. A shroud of disillusionment seemed thick
in the air. Many people appeared restless.
I
realize you're probably asking, "Who in New York
City doesn’t
seem restless?"
But
this was different. At
a corner Starbucks, I claimed a seat by the window.
Enthralled, I continued to watch people. Who knows
how many went by me, oblivious to my observation. Suddenly
it struck me. In the flowing sea of hundreds of faces – there
seemed to be a common thread. It was an absence of
contentment; a look of dissatisfaction.
I
couldn’t help but wonder how many of those
people longed for better circumstances, for something
more desirable than their present situation.
Are You Discontent?
What
about you – if you were in that pool of
people, would I have seen the same look on your face?
Take a short inventory to gauge your level of contentment.
This quiz doesn’t need a score – your answers
easily reveal the truth. Either you are living a satisfied,
content life, or you are fighting disillusionment with
your current situation.
1.
Are you restless, dissatisfied, or disgruntled – with
no apparent reason?
2.
Are you easily irritated – have
you found yourself snapping at loved ones?
3.
Do you long for better circumstances – are
you stifling a yearning for something more?
4.
Do you find yourself rebellious – are you
questioning the old way of doing things?
5.
Do you feel frustrated, defeated, or discouraged – without
a logical explanation?
6.
Are you angry that you find yourself complacent with
mediocrity?
Many
people voice a considerable amount of discontent
with their daily lives. Admittedly, I have weathered
a season of great dissatisfaction and restlessness – many
of them. Yet, sometimes there are valid reasons for
discontent in our lives. We could be facing an uphill
battle with unemployment, illness, or loneliness. Many
events could pull us to a point of disillusionment.
Can Discontent Be Resolved?
While
there are varied reasons for discontent in our lives,
it doesn’t mean that the season has to
be long and dark. Discontent is not always a bad thing.
It doesn’t have to crush our spirit.
I
am learning not to view discontent in my life as
a negative. If handled correctly, it can become the
driving force that propels me forward. Your current
situation may be miserable, but you don’t have
to stay there. There are steps you can take to bring
resolution.
1. Understand that discontent often serves as a prerequisite
to advancement.
Sometimes we have to go through a season of discomfort
to get us out of complacency. A nagging sense of discontent
should be respected, not ignored. It can be the vehicle
to motivate us to do something different to get out
of our current circumstances.
2.
Recognize the importance of the journey.
The lessons we learn – persistence, endurance,
and character – are taught best in the midst
of a difficult journey. It’s an essential,
necessary process.
3.
Don’t accept the defeat
of discontent.
Sometimes anger is a good thing. A passionate righteous
anger is a motivating force. If we get to a point
of extreme frustration with our circumstances,
we will
do whatever it takes to get out.
4.
Be courageous to overcome fear.
People will often remain in a state of discontent
because a fear of change paralyzes them from
taking action.
Don’t be afraid of the unknown.
5.
Remember that forward motion eventually breeds success.
You have to pair action with your complaints.
If you have a partner who will bend a sympathetic
ear to all
you’re going through – that’s a wonderful
comfort. But you can’t stop there.
You must learn to take positive, forward
steps that will bring you
out of your current situation.
Discontent:
The dictionary speaks of it as an absence of contentment,
dissatisfaction – but I view
it as a drive, a motivating force, a good thing.
The
next time I see throngs of discontented people on
a busy sidewalk, I’ll have to remember they’re
just a work in progress. Like the rest of us, they
are simply on a journey to a better place.
A
quick side note - my column will be on hiatus for
the month of September, so I look forward to reconnecting
with you on October 7, 2006.
Jo
Ann Fore welcomes your comments about this article or suggestions
for material you would like to see in future articles.
Email her at: JoAnnFore@msn.com. A
Better You is published every Saturday.
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