Contentment

Santosha. The Sanskrit word for contentment. It is easy to feel contentment when everything is feeling fine: full fridge, tidy house, car washed, emails read and responded to, dinner cooked, eaten, and cleaned-up while still feeling the endorphins soothe my mind and body from an afternoon run. (Skipped the beer even because still feeling very relaxed and the Santosha). Oh, did I mention, my one and half year old daughter is also with her dad for the day, so I could 'accomplish' all this and more, AND relax! And, now feeling excited and refreshed to see her again! Santosha. Charlie Brown Christmas music, Enya Silent Night, now Gypsy Kings!

But, can I feel this Santosha tomorrow, when kid one is screaming for milk, kid two can't get to sleep, kid three is throwing a tantrum because I won't let her touch the computer, and I feel dirty because there is no time to escape to the shower? Will I remember to breathe, relax into the chaos, and celebrate impermanence? One day flying high, full of energy, next day irritated and weeping on the sofa because I'm so tired.

Life ebbs and flows. Emotions rise and fall away. Impermanence everywhere.

Contentment is a state of mind. It already exists in all of us. It's just a matter of shifting perspective. The easiest way to access contentment when you're feeling 'messy' and want things to be different, is to pause and give gratitude for what is (even the screaming kids because I am sure you would miss this noise if they suddenly went away). Keep it simple when cultivating gratitude in the moment, e.g., hands to lift the coffee mug to your mouth, the earth to stand on, being able to lift the corners of your mouth in a smile if you want to. The small act of giving thanks for 'what is' is choosing to accept the present moment whatever is going on, and choosing to BE OK with the present, which is already perfect. Contentment is easy to find when things are fine, but it is as equally accessible when things are not so fine. I dare you to dive below the surface. There, you will find a treasure chest of fine things. Help yourself to a serving of santosha in this moment!