At first blush, we'd probably all agree that we'd like to be more content.  But as we delve deeper, the plot thickens.  Maybe contentment isn't what we really should be striving for.  Perhaps it's really something else that we should be pursuing.

Webster's defines contentment as:

        the state or quality of being content

       content - satisfied; freedom from care or discomfort

Sounds pretty good, right?  Perfect, right?  Exactly.  And that's the problem.  Perfection is rarely attained.  And when it is, it's only for a fleeting instant.  Then, we attempt to maintain or repeat this state of perfection, we're faced with an impossible task.  (Please see my June, 2003 article, Pursuit of Perfection — The Impossible Dream for more on the subject.)

Can you recall a time when you were free "from care or discomfort"?  Perhaps.  Maybe when we were youngsters.  But as we age, our lives quickly get more complicated.  We develop a sense of responsibility and those carefree times are but a distant memory.  

If we were totally content, there would be no opportunity to improve, and therefore no motivation to do anything further.  We would be at the pinnacle, unassailable and yet finding ourselves in a situation where improvement is impossible.

As with our birth charts, we need to have something within to motivate us to change, to improve, and to evolve.  

So rather than attempting perfection or pursuing contentment, why not embrace the challenge of building on each of our successes - however small - rather than resting on our laurels?  Why not recognize that there is still room for improvement and be thankful that life isn't perfect? 

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It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.