Seeking Normal – Day 6

Day 6 prompt:

Contentment is a state of being but how does it relate to normal? Is “normal” having routines or is it simply being satisfied with our state of being at that moment? Is it wrong to long for contentment beyond this moment? Is this where lacking gratitude begins?

My answer:

This is a heck of a prompt as the more I have researched the more I realize that contentment is more about gratitude for what you have and who you are in life in general. Normal is the routine or what is commonplace for you and a shared commonality for the masses. I think as it is written the prompt confuses the two.

Where I think the two can merge is to create the “normal” or routines in your life that creates contentment. If I am working daily to become more content then one begets the other.

As I often do I researched and found the following as a great guide to pass on to be content:

1. Practice Gratitude
2. Take control of your attitude
3. Break the buying habit
4. Stop comparing yourself to others
5. Help others
6. Be content with what you have, never with what you are

#6 got my attention as it seemed counter intuitive however as it was described it noted, “Contentment is not the same as complacency. As soon as you stop growing, you start dying.” The idea is that there is always room for improvement.

Funny as it may seem I also researched a list to offer on “how to be normal” and actually found something to share:

1. Become more open-minded.
2. Surround yourself with people you like.
3. Love unconditionally.
4. Do what you love.
5. Realize that bad things happen to everyone.
6. Learn how to forgive yourself.

Interesting lists as they are great to remind us how to create contentment and normal in your own life. I guess the prompt might have been better stated, “Is it normal to feel content” and the easy answer is not right or wrong it is more of an evaluation of where you are in the moment that you are answering that question.

I hope that this exploration of “seeking normal” is helping you to understand where you are today and where you wish to be in the future. The way you spend the time today will define your normal and ultimately if you will ever find contentment in the future.

Life as I seek it – L.