(Because some people like Blogger and some like WordPress, i am putting the same content at both. If you would prefer to read this on the other site, it is linked here.)
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After we got finished being taken to the cleaners by the Tax Man this past week, i spent a lot of time thinking about the Bible verse Hebrews 13:5, "Be content with such things as you have, for He has said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'."
Another way to think about contentment is being satisfied, or grateful, or thankful.
Today is "S" day on A to Z, so i am thinking that i am satisfied.
Yes, i could envy those who have nicer cars, but i am satisfied with and thankful for the Jalopy and Lunceford the Land Yacht.
Sure, i could have more clothes, and more stylish clothes, but i am satisfied with and thankful for my jeans and t-shirts and my two dresses for special occasions.
We could wish for a bigger house, but i am more than satisfied with and thankful for the size of this one.
Some people dine at fine restaurants all of the time, but i am satisfied with and thankful for the food in our pantry and fridge and freezer. Also, i know that we have more from one grocery trip than some people in this world will get in a month.
There are those who are in much better physical shape than i am, but i am satisfied and thankful that yesterday i was able to climb into Ms. G's attic and get the inflatable bed down for her, and haul in all of the cat litter. She just had knee surgery and couldn't do it, and she didn't have to because i am at least fit enough to do that.
Ms. G also has a brand new vacuum cleaner that has all of the bells and whistles on it (the crack and crevice tool lights up!) and i could covet it, but i am satisfied with my modest Shark that does a good enough job for me.
Reading is one of my passions, and i could be cranky about not being able to buy every book i want to read, but instead i am satisfied to get a good used one sometimes and go to the library for the rest.
Most of my furniture is older and a bit shabby and worse for the wear after years of children and cats. Still i am satisfied with it and thankful for it because it works for us and our lifestyle, and i don't have to be always on pins and needles that a cat will destroy something.
The latest technological gadgetry is something that some people just have to have. Me, i will be quite satisfied with and thankful for the big tablet that Sweetie can see to use and the smaller one that i can see to use, and our phones that we got cheaper because they were out of style.
There are jobs that are a lot more glamorous than being a janitor, but i am satisfied that i can help people and they are really thankful to have me do the jobs they cannot do or don't have time to do.
While i could sit and wish for more, i am satisfied and thankful. Yes, some things i will work to change, or to eventually replace some worn items with better things, but that does not take away from my being thankful and grateful for the now. Nothing says i cannot be content and satisfied with where i am while still striving to get where i want to be.
Josie Two Shoes is the delightful hostess of Ten Things of Thankful, and it would make all of us thankful if you would work up a list (it doesn't have to be ten, that's just a suggestion, a goal to shoot for) and link up. That way we can all be thankful along with you.
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To enjoy more blogs participating in the A to Z Challenge, click here.
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Today is:
Administrative Professionals Day (original date)
Aggie Muster -- Texas A&M University
Astronomy Day 2018 / Spring Astronomy Day -- Saturday at or before the first quarter moon between mid-April and mid-May
sponsored by The Astronomical League; find out what your local astronomy society is doing today, and go enjoy
Banyan Tree Birthday Party -- Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i (celebrating the "birthday" of Lahaina's most important landmark, their banyan tree planted back in 1973, which now covers over 2/3 of an acre; cake, nature displays, kid activities, history exhibits and more, through tomorrow)
Birthday of Rome -- Rome, Italy (753 BCE)
California Poppy Festival -- Lancaster, CA, US (two fun days celebrating California's State Flower)
Feast of Wadjet (a/k/a Udjet or Buto) -- Ancient Egyptian Calendar (date approximate)
First Day of Ridvan -- Baha'i (began sunset yesterday; through May 2)
Grounation Day -- Rastafari (one of the Rastafarian's most important festivals, in honor of Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica)
Hatsume Fair -- Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden, Delray Beach, FL, US (celebrating the culture and beauty of Japan; through tomorrow)
Healthy Kids Day® -- YMCA
Heroica Defensa de Veracruz -- Mexico (Heroic Defense of Veracruz)
Historic Garden Week in Virginia -- VA, US (enjoying some of Virginia's finest homes and gardens; through next Saturday)
Homecoming of the Elves -- Fairy Calendar (Singing Festival)
Huband Appreciation Day
International Marconi Day -- a 24-hour amateur radio event annually near the birth anniversary of Marconi
Iroquois Corn Planting Ceremony -- Iroquois Native Americans (three day celebration, always around this time of year)
John Muir Day -- US (American conservationist)
Kartini Day -- Indonesia (honoring a leader who helped emancipate women)
Keep Norfolk Beautiful Day -- Norfolk, VA, US (citywide volunteer cleanup effort that i would love to see duplicated everywhere)
Kindergarten Day -- Germany; US (birth anniversary of Friedrich Froebel, in 1782, who began the first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837)
Make a Quilt Day -- obviously begun by someone who has no idea how long the process really takes! not associated with National Quilting Day or Project Linus' Make a Blanket Day
Mibu Dainembutsu Kyogen -- Mibu Temple, Kyoto, Japan (nine day festival of kyogen performances which dates back to 1299)
National Auctioneers Day -- recognizing the contribution of auctioneers to American commerce
National Chocolate-Covered Cashew Truffle Day
National Tree Planting Day -- Kenya
Paralia -- Ancient Roman Calendar (shepherd's festival of Pares, goddess of herders)
Queen's Birthday -- Falkland Islands; St. Helena(except Tristan da Cunha)
Record Store Day -- celebrated by independent record stores everywhere, find one near you
San Jacinto Day -- Texas, US
St. Anselm of Canturbury's Day
St. Bueno Gasulsych's Day (Patron of diseased cattle, sick animals, and sick children)
Taro Festival -- East Maui, Hawaii, US (celebration of Hawai'ian culture; through tomorrow)
Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day -- encouraging awareness of volunteerism, but the original sponsor of the day is no longer online
Tiradentes Day/Brasilia Day -- Brazil (honors Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, called "tooth puller", who fought for Brazilian independence)
Inauguration of Brasilia, Distrito Federal -- Brazil (anniversary of the 1960 inauguration of the new federal capital)
Creativity and Innovation Day -- final day of World Creativity and Innovation Week, which always begins on DaVinci's birth anniversary
Birthdays Today:
Robert Smith, 1959
Andie MacDowell, 1958
James Morrison, 1954
Tony Danza, 1951
Patti LuPone, 1949
Iggy Pop, 1947
Charles Grodin, 1935
Elaine May, 1932
Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, 1926
Anthony Quinn, 1915
John Muir, 1838
Charlotte Bronte, 1816
Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel, 1782
Catherine the Great, 1729
Jan van Riebeeck, 1619
Debuting/Premiering Today:
"Annie"(Musical), 1977
"Inherit the Wind"(Play), 1955
"Arms and the Man"(Play), 1894
Today in History:
Traditional date for the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus, BC753
Marc Antony continues to battle the senators who assasinated Julius Caesar in the Battle of Mutina, which he loses, BC43
Henry VIII ascends the throne of England, 1509
Hernan Cortez lands in Veracruz, 1519
The Maryland Toleration Act is passed, granting religious freedom to all in that colony, 1649
Catherine the Great ends noble privileges in Russia, 1785
Tiradentes, leader of the independence movement in Brazil, is executed, 1792
Republic of Texas forces under Sam Houston defeat Mexican troops under Santa Ana, winning the Battle of San Jacinto and the independence of Texas, 1836
The first train crosses the first bridge over the Mississippi River, crossing from Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa, 1855
Alexander Douglas patents the bustle, 1857
Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i' faith, declares his mission, 1863
The first firehouse pole is installed in a firehouse in NYC, 1878
The Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen)is shot down, 1918
The first Aggie Muster is held, a remembrance of fellow Texas A&M graduates who had died in the previous year, 1922
Brasilia is officially inaugurated as the capital of Brazil, 1960
In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Yaobang, 1989
Alexander Wolszczan announces his the discovery of extrasolar planets, 1994
The ashes of Timothy Leary and Gene Roddenberry are launched into orbit, 1997
By order of an Egyptian court, the name of Egypt's former President, Hosni Mubarak, is stripped from public spaces, schools and streets, 2011
Playing against the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber pitches the 21st perfect game in MLB history and the third perfect game in team history, 2012
The Astronaut Hall of Fame inducts three new members; Curtis Brown, Eileen Collins, and Bonnie Dunbar, 2013
Utter contentment. There's nothing wrong with shabby chic! I'm glad they invented Rome in BC753, it's one of my favourite places in the world.
ReplyDeleteA-Z of My Friend Rosey!
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteGratitude is in the attitude, making one satisfied instead of discontent. I'm content with all the Lord has given us and if things improve then great and if not I'll still be happy because I have so much compared to many.
~Curious as a Cathy
A2Z iPad Art Sketch 'S' Splash time for baby
I've been having vacuum cleaner challenges and a friend of mine who cleans houses has been touting the virtues of the Shark to me, as well. This time around I just got mine fixed but next time, I may have to consider the Shark.
ReplyDelete(Hey, an S-themed comment on S day!)
Just have to be so thankful for what we have and just don't worry about what we don't have. Great post. Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteGreat sharing. I too have learned to be satisfied and contented and thank God for providing for our needs.
ReplyDeleteThe motor in my Shark's brush roller attachment died. It would cost $75 to replace so I just bought a new Shark vacuum. It came with the brush roller attachment dead. I returned it and bought a used Panasonic vacuum from a repair store down the road.
ReplyDeleteBeing content with what we have is a good thing. There are always those that seem to have everything that money can buy, but that doesn't mean they are happy. I'd rather be happy and content with what I have. Like you.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous weekend. ♥
Surely this is the magic of perspective (which I personally believe is far more powerful a concept that most people realize)... to see what is from a slightly different angle does not make what you see anything less than it's always been, however, (in my experience) sometimes it allows us to appreciate a value in that thing (or person or relationship) that was not otherwise visible.
ReplyDeleteGood TToT / Antelopes to Zebra Challenge post
Wonderful post Mimi. It surely resonates with me.
ReplyDelete"Nothing says i cannot be content and satisfied with where i am while still striving to get where i want to be." I agree!
ReplyDeleteBeing satisfied and grateful for what we have opens the door for new and greater things. You have a way of putting things together that is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your one client so appreciated you being able to climb up in the attic and retrieve what she needed! That indeed is a service.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to get something new or newer when things wear out and cannot be repaired or the cost of repairing almost equals the cost of getting it new.
Being able to appreciate what one has is easy when one remembers that there are always those who have less. Besides Shabby Chic never goes out of style in my book.
I agree that making a quilt in a single day isn't an easy task!
I love that there is a Banyan Tree birthday party. We saw that amazing tree last year.
My brother has a radio show, on a college station, and he did an entire show of records for Record Store Day.
ReplyDelete:-)
This is important, being satisfied with what we have, as you've illustrated with this S post.
There truly are more important things than the material things in life.