7 Severn

“Oh happiness! our being’s end and aim!
Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate’er thy name:
That something still which prompts th’ eternal sigh,
For which we bear to live, or dare to die.”
An Essay On Man – Alexander Pope.
Sourced: The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, Revised Edition.

The Britannica Dictionary states: –

Content:
Pleased and satisfied, not needing more.
To make (someone) pleased and satisfied.
To make (someone) content.
To be satisfied with (something that is less than or different from what you really want).
To accept (something) as being enough.

Thankful:
Glad that something has happened or not happened. That something or someone exists, etc.
Of, relating to, or expressing thanks.

Pleased:
Happy or satisfied.
Very happy or satisfied.

We can actually relax more this week as we’re content with our lot. Whilst we all have our opinions and expectations, nothing – it seems – is absolutely perfect. Or very rarely is. Yet. when we allow ourselves to be content with where we’re at and what is happening within our lives. We just know that everything is OK.
With this knowingness:
Allow yourself to absorb the moment… 
Be thankful of the moment…
and be pleased by this moment you now have…

This is an ideal time to revisit the 5 Things Gratitude exercise mentioned in an earlier post. Ask yourself: What 5 Things am I Grateful for? This may be a person; place; event; meal; material object etc. Something that is meaningful to you.

To extend on that, here’s another exercise you may wish to utilise and build on your mindfulness practice: –

Meditation on Stillness:

Find a comfortable place to sit where you won’t be distracted for 5 minutes. Set a timer for this.
Close your eyes and bring attention to your breath.
Allow yourself to rest and be still.
If you notice your mind wandering, refocus your attention back on your breathing.
Let your mind take a break and rest in a sense of ease.

“A joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.
The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: and gather together the out-casts of Israel.
He healeth those that are broken in heart: and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.
He telleth the number of the stars: and calleth them all by their names.”
Book Of Common Prayer. Psalm 147, v.1
Sourced: The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, Revised Edition.

Thank you for reading.

Next Week. We’re: Happy – Amused – Delighted.