Reflections

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  1. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    2 weeks ago

    My good friend Nan that passed away last November. She loved life and lived simply. She hardly ever complained. She was so full of wisdom and helped me in my darkest moments. She taught me to take care of me and was my first introduction to “grateful living”. I miss her but her endless love of life will stay with me forever : )

    1. Andrea
      Andrea
      2 weeks ago

      That is beautiful Robin Ann. She sounds like an amazing person.

      1. Robin Ann
        Robin Ann
        2 weeks ago

        Thank you, Andrea, she was. She took me under her wing when my Mom died and got to know my children.
        She was a dear friend of our family a long time

  2. Antoinette88615
    Antoinette
    2 weeks ago

    The founder of this meditation method which takes us to Truth right now. Woo Myung is the author of many books and the simple steps to letting go of my false picture world I hold onto in my mind. He has worked relentlessly his whole life to helping people become Truth. I’m so grateful that I get to live in this time of Truth.

  3. Ose
    Ose
    2 weeks ago

    Like Sparrow and Michele have already mentioned, it´s cats. The way they are present in the very moment, while lying in the sun or on the sofa being totally relaxed or purring when held cozy in my arms is just amazing.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 weeks ago

      💜

  4. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    2 weeks ago

    . . . my cats . . .
    every one of them
    who has graced my life
    over the years,
    with love and companionship.

    Who cannot feel the contentment
    of a cat stretched out straight and long,
    enjoying a sunbath in the middle of the day? ♥

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 weeks ago

      💜

    2. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      So true, Sparrow.
      The picture of contentment!

  5. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol
    2 weeks ago

    Right now, I would say my next door neighbors, Dusty and Margaret Ann, are my current role models for contentment in my life…a couple in their early 90’s who have never read Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, etc., but have always lived a life of acceptance and non-resistance to the day to day challenges. I’ve lived next door to them for 6 years now and witnessed their recent “diminishment” (that helpful word Joseph introduced into our vocabulary on this site a few days ago). I’m humbled by their faith driven acceptance of the limitations they are now facing. They gave their car to their son a couple of weeks ago as they realize they should no longer drive. Their attitude is very positive and they are so thankful for the things they can still do an for the fact that with the help of their children, they can remain in their home. Dusty was digging dandelions out of the lawn this week and Margaret Ann was frying morel mushrooms when I dropped by yesterday to pause for a moment of prayer with her. I love to pray with Margaret Ann even though we do not share the same interpretation of the scriptures. Why? because she is real to her core. She is the epitome of the “wise grandmother” depicted in so many cultures.

    1. Mary
      Mary Mantei
      2 weeks ago

      Carol, I was so touched by your story of Margaret Ann and Dusty, thank you. The acceptance, letting go, and appreciation for current abilities and opportunities is inspiring. 🩷

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 weeks ago

      This couple
      seems to have found the key to good living,
      dear Carol . . .
      from your description
      I almost feel like I have met them. ♥

    3. D
      Drea
      2 weeks ago

      Wow, these people sound incredible. It’s inspiring to hear of such grace in diminishment, and such acceptance.

  6. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    2 weeks ago

    There is a lady in my faith community who has been through many difficult losses in the past few years. Even as she acknowledges her deep grief, she also seems to radiate contentment.

  7. Mary
    Mary
    2 weeks ago

    I don’t know who is particularly content with life of people that I know.
    I’m just not sure about that.
    Someone who did seem to be content with life was President Jimmy Carter.
    He had faith in God and met adversity with his own good deeds.
    He kept looking forward to what he could do, to make this world a better place,
    rather than looking back at his own difficulties.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 weeks ago

      Jimmy Carter was a genuinely good human being. Thank you, Mary.

    2. D
      Drea
      2 weeks ago

      Meeting adversity with good deeds … that is indeed something to aspire to.

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 weeks ago

        Yes, that really is something to aspire to.

    3. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      2 weeks ago

      Yes, Mary. Jimmy Carter was and is still an inspiration. I heard Van Jones say and I paraphrase: ‘We die when the physical body is laid to rest but we don’t really die until others stop saying our name.’

  8. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    2 weeks ago

    It seems I’ve had very few role models in my life.
    I’ve had plenty of people that taught me how not to live my life. I guess I’ve known so few people that are content. Certainly the Dalai Lama, and I would include Mahatma Gandhi. But what do I know? I’ve never met either one of them.
    I’m sure there have been people along the way that have modeled contentment. It’s a bit elusive. Isn’t it? Practicing gratitude is a good way for me to feel more contentment.

    1. Mary
      Mary Mantei
      2 weeks ago

      I think contentement can mean many different things to different people, Charlie. So your impression of it being elusive seems real. And it shifts, as Carol noted in her story about Dusty and Margaret Ann.

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      2 weeks ago

      Gratitude definitely challenges us to see with new eyes. Let’s face it, most things are highly influenced by the eyes of the beholder!

  9. A
    Antonia
    2 weeks ago

    My dog- she lives in the moment and acts as though everyday is the best day of her life.

    1. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      2 weeks ago

      Antonia, made me think of our dog Pee-Wee. My son rescued a dog, Pee Wee, from under an interstate overpass. The dog was apparently beaten and then dumped their with a shattered back leg. The dog is still afraid of strangers but trusts my son totally. The vet fixed his leg. It’s been about 3 years since JJ rescued him. We learned recently that the dog now has cancer. I ask my son when he visits each weekend, “How is Pee-Wee?” My son, JJ, says “Pee-Wee is happy. The meds dull his pain, he’s eating well and does not know he has cancer. As long as Pee-Wee has quality of life, I will not intervene.” Pee-Wee is definitely a good role model and so is my son.

      1. Joseph
        Joseph McCann
        2 weeks ago

        A good mother, a good son, a lucky puppy rescued from distress.

        1. L
          Loc Tran
          2 weeks ago

          Joseph, I totally resignate on a good mother. My mom has a positive attitude, lives simply, straight to the point, and there when needed most.

      2. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 weeks ago

        My heart breaks for this little dog,
        dear Carol,
        but swells with joy
        for your son’s intervention.
        Thank you for sharing this story. ♥

    2. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      Yes!
      Great answer and I’m sure she’s a great dog.

    3. Charlie T
      Charlie T
      2 weeks ago

      I love this! Made me smile. 🙏

  10. D
    Drea
    2 weeks ago

    Brother David Steindl-Rast. He’s curious, energetic, vivacious, and engaged. His contentment seems dynamic, it plays in different keys depending on what is happening now. I can relate to colorful, nuanced flavors of contentment; contentment in motion.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      Yes, and beautifully described!

      1. D
        Drea
        2 weeks ago

        Thank you Mary.

  11. J
    John
    2 weeks ago

    The one person who comes to mind is my Mom. She simply enjoyed her living, her husband, her kids, her house, her friends. She played cards, had dinner parties, held birthday parties (seven every year for a while!) and attended events: little league, recitals, and graduations. And all of that with a certain equanimity that seemed to always show through.
    A couple of years after her death, I was told by one of my siblings that she prayed the rosary every day for most of her life.
    I am pretty sure that her daily attention to her spiritual self was one of, or maybe the main reason that she seemed to be content.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 weeks ago

      “I am pretty sure that her daily attention to her spiritual self was one of,
      or maybe the main reason that she seemed to be content.”
      I suspect this might be true,
      dear John. ♥

    2. D
      Drea
      2 weeks ago

      What a gift to have such a mother, John. Thanks for telling us about her.

  12. Mark Piper
    Mark Piper
    2 weeks ago

    Catherine McAuley and Therese Couderc.

    1. D
      Drea
      2 weeks ago

      I wasn’t aware of these women, Mark, and looked them up on Wikipedia. They certainly lived committed and far-reaching lives. Thank you for sharing their names.

  13. Yram
    Yram
    2 weeks ago

    The person that came to mind was Pope Francis. In viewing some of the clips of his life and papacy, I got a sense of peace and calm. I equate those qualities with contentment. His life was not easy but he lived it with grace and humility.

  14. Patti
    sunnypatti
    2 weeks ago

    I don’t think I have a role model for contentment. I’m content with my life and have many teachers over the years whose wisdom has helped me learn to make peace with all kinds of things. Whether it’s a book, a yoga teacher, a meditation teacher, a friend or family member. Sometimes we learn from others when we’re not really expecting it. We get so much information in our daily lives, and we can use that to make our lives better – or worse… the choice is always ours!

  15. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    2 weeks ago

    Jesus Christ and my Mother Mary. Believing in Christ comforted me in my life’s insecurity and stress. Just doing the best I can, they’ll be with me. May you all have a wonderful day! 💐

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      2 weeks ago

      My Ngoc, we certainly share the root of believing in god and prayers.

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