Contentedness.

[ambitious_wench]

Long ago, in a land far away known as Washington State, I once read a small paper pamphlet entitled something intriguing like "Are you a glitter girl?" It talked about the difference between happy and content, and just what a glitter girl was. Now, realise this was almost twenty years ago, and the one thing that has stuck with me all those years is the differenciation between happy and content.

Happy is a brief moment, the flash of a camera as you smile at a party, or the feeling you get when you see a friend for the first time in years. Your face lights up, and you laugh.

Can you imagine laughing all your waking hours?

Contentedness, on the other hand, is a longer, more sustainable feeling. Strive to be content, not happy.
Contentedness is in the ache of muscles after turning the soil in the spring,
Contentedness is the full belly after a good meal cooked with love.
Contentedness is the comfort of a warm blanket on a cold night.

My grandmother used to say that she was happy. I think the word has fallen into synonimity with contentedness.
Now, who can tell me the difference between joyfulness and happiness?

I wish you contentment.
Auntie Ambitious

Comments

Joyfulness

[scascot.livejournal.com]

Happiness is the wriggly new puppy you find in the kitchen one day when you get home from school. It is birthday parties and chocolate cake.

Joyfulness is the yes to a marriage proposal. It is your newborn babe lying in his mother's arms. It is sharing one's accomplishment of a lifetime with another.

Happiness is short-lived, intense and giddy with laughter. Joyfulness is almost serene by comparison, full of silent pride and sometimes tears.

Happiness is the now, a reward for something you did not work for, the sugar rush of pleasure.

Joyfulness is the past, carried through the now, into the future; the sum of hard work, dedication, and daring.