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contentment = giving up

Athenian200

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Well, I can tell you that there have been many times I've given up working for something better, and it didn't make me content... so I would assume it's not.

I think that some people are just more naturally content than others. They just want comfort and familiarity. But a lot of us aren't built like that, even if we try to pretend that we are.
 

ceecee

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No I don't believe they are the same thing. I'm very content with my life. Why not, it's a great life? That doesn't mean I don't strive to make it better every day, make improvements when needed, etc but I do enjoy what I have.
 

InvisibleJim

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And you were inaccurate in your assessment.

No, your opinion differs from mine, this is not a matter of inaccuracy.

It is very easy to see how in our information rich age that people expect 'more new information all the time' leading to a reduction in people valuing contentment.

Of course, consumerism has the same effect; it's very narrow minded to apply that these affects are mutually exclusive..
 

onemoretime

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No, your opinion differs from mine, this is not a matter of inaccuracy.

It is very easy to see how in our information rich age that people expect 'more new information all the time' leading to a reduction in people valuing contentment.

Of course, consumerism has the same effect; it's very narrow minded to apply that these affects are mutually exclusive..

It's inaccurate because within the historical context, the influences that have diminished the value of contentment did not significantly change with the rise of the information economy. They are the same ones that arose with the consumerist economy in the 1900s, and especially following the Great Depression and World War II. It isn't information that drives the lack of contentment; it's the pervasive idea that you can't be happy without more, which is an advertising technique of the consumerist era.
 

InvisibleJim

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It's inaccurate because within the historical context, the influences that have diminished the value of contentment did not significantly change with the rise of the information economy. They are the same ones that arose with the consumerist economy in the 1900s, and especially following the Great Depression and World War II. It isn't information that drives the lack of contentment; it's the pervasive idea that you can't be happy without more, which is an advertising technique of the consumerist era.

Are we really being so facetious as to apply a discount factor to our current society to 'pawn off' blame to the past?

'I can't do anything about it because of Genghis Khan.'
 

onemoretime

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Are we really being so facetious as to apply a discount factor to our current society to 'pawn off' blame to the past?

'I can't do anything about it because of Genghis Khan.'

No. It's more like "meet the new boss, same as the old boss"
 

onemoretime

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Perhaps if you indulged in more solipsism you would actuate and thus understand the economic factors at play.

Perhaps if you took a moment away from navel gazing to look at the present in its entire historical context, you'd understand which economic factors are relevant ;)
 

prplchknz

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You will never be truly happy settled down, you'll always want something new. I don't know how to solve this, especially things considered. All I know is if you ever have kids (which I doubt, but if you do) I could totally see you leaving them and running away to a different country. Not because you didn't love them
 

Fidelia

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Contentment is different than being complacent or apathetic. I do think it's unlikely that an ESTP is ever going to feel the same amount of complete satisfaction with things as they are compared to an ISTJ. On the other hand, I don't think anyone must have an inner nagging restless, rolling stone gathers no moss compulsion at all times if they are contented.

I've come to believe that that sense of inner relaxation and peacefulness comes largely from having your need for secure attachment to others addressed. Otherwise, it's like an alarm bell that has been going on for a long time, but the hearer of it was not able to remedy the situation. Therefore, after much time goes by, they cease to register it as a call to action anymore and it just becomes a low level constant anxiety that makes them restless and uncomfortable without knowing why. They then need to seek outside stimulation to quell it temporarily, but whenever they are alone it comes back. They may try to numb those feelings away by substance abuse, food, screen time, porn, music, work or remaining incredibly busy, but it always comes back. An increasing number of people in our society are dealing with this sense of restlessness and lack of contentment. They tend to believe that a change of person or situation in their lives will be the answer and are disappointed when it is not. I believe true contentment involves addressing your basic needs, so that you have the energy left over to care for and interact with those around you. In the process of allowing others to care for your needs, and learning to care for others', a sense of trust and ability to be vulnerable with them develops and attachment roots can go down deeper.

That, however, is separate from what you find satisfying or what kinds of pursuits attract you. Any of the ESTPs I know seem to be happiest when they have 100 things going at once. They are like border collies that start chewing on the table legs if you don't give them something productive to do - smart, but need lots to occupy their time and attention or they become destructive.

In short, I think that it is possible to be ambitious or wanting to stretch yourself as a person, while still being basically contented.
 

mochajava

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No I don't believe they are the same thing. I'm very content with my life. Why not, it's a great life? That doesn't mean I don't strive to make it better every day, make improvements when needed, etc but I do enjoy what I have.

I think this is a fantastic, constructive way to look at it. Most of us, myself included, believe that contentment leads to stagnation and no longer trying to improve. Is this true? Are these necessarily mutually exclusive? Can we be content, but also improving, like Ceecee says? I would like to think so!
 

Fidelia

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I think maybe gratitude for what you have in your life (bad stuff as well as the good) is a part of contentment. It's a mindset of appreciation for what is.
 

cascadeco

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I think this is a fantastic, constructive way to look at it. Most of us, myself included, believe that contentment leads to stagnation and no longer trying to improve. Is this true? Are these necessarily mutually exclusive? Can we be content, but also improving, like Ceecee says? I would like to think so!

Well, this is how look at it, and I think we definitely can. I mean, again, if you're really, truly content and happy, why would you NEED to improve immediately? What exactly would be the motivation? You know? If you're very happy and satisfied with your life, doesn't that say a whole lot right there? That you have reached this place/point? And again, if/when something creeps in that becomes dissatisfying, or you get to a point where you are no longer content, isn't that THEN the time to look towards making improvements and changing and actively trying to work towards something that will again bring you to a new level of satisfaction?

I see all of this as pretty fluid.
 

disregard

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Being content and giving up are two separate things, but something you've witnessed or experienced in your life has caused you to draw a connection between the two (if you believe it; I'm not sure if you do based on the OP).
 

miss fortune

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Restlessness is a hard habit to kick... Especially when its related to needing more data and experience input both. Some people will never have enough stuff, some will never know enough and some can never experience enough... Its always been like that... Its the people who are content who are mysteriously fascinating somehow! :)
 

prplchknz

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I'm happy if I have a roof over my head, friends to hang out with, money in the bank, and access to books/movies.
 

Rail Tracer

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contentment = giving up? Hardly.

It means I am(or others) ok with what I have.

It is sort of like comparing two people who have different standards on what the two believe to be living.

One person might believe that having the fine things in life means to live happily. This person works to get a high paying job, works to get a nice house, nice car, and nice living accessories. I mean, this person could very well be living happily.

The other person, however, believes that what he has right now is living. And just because he isn't rich and living the life, doesn't mean he is any less happy or giving up on life. This person is ok with what is in front of him, the people around him, the house he lives in, the neighborhood he lives in, the pace of life he lives in (whether it changes constantly or not.) Money becomes less of an issue.
 

AOA

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does being content with life mean that you've given up on working towards something better? :huh:

Think you've confused *acceptance* for contentment, IMO.
 

The Machine Stops

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I don't think so. When you have everything but the desire for more is still there rather than the peace of contentment that you'd expect it really makes you wonder.
 
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