5 Mantras to Contentment

The world is always telling us to change something, telling us that we are not enough, that we “need” things that are not necessarily essential. It is no wonder that the majority of us are rarely happy or content in life. In fact, there has been an increase in negative feelings (anger, sadness and worry), of 27% from 2010-2018. This year, we were struck by one of the worst global pandemics in the last 100 years. This pandemic took lives, jobs and even physical freedom away from us, which can only mean that this increase in negative feelings is expected to rise exorbitantly.

However, surrounding ourselves with such negativity is never good as it greatly affects our productivity, mental health and consequently, our own physical health. In hopes of alleviating our souls and helping us find happiness and satisfaction in the midst of this chaotic world, is five mantras to live by:

You might think that someone is at a better place than you are but rather than spiralling into an internal competition with the other party, bring the focus back on yourself. You have gone through your own fair share of trials and tribulations to get to where you are today. Do not ever look down on that.

The people who make it to the top — whether they’re musicians, or great chefs, or corporate honchos — are addicted to their calling … [they] are the ones who’d be doing whatever it is they love, even if they weren’t being paid. — Quincy Jones

Forgiving someone is no easy feat. But did you know that the hardest people to forgive is ourselves? If you find yourself harping on your past mistakes, remember that the past has been done, so rather than crying over spilt milk, think about how you can make amendments or provide a solution to the problem.

If you try to please all, you please none. — Aesop (Ésope)

Whenever we come across something negative or an unfamiliar change, our first instinct is to ignore or push it out of sight, thereby rejecting a part of what makes us who we are. This, in time, makes us feel more disdain and anger towards ourselves as these part of us continue to grow in presence. If we can instead accept the chance, and learn to live with a new version of ourselves, we will become one step closer to becoming content with ourselves.

“Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you.”

-Lao Tzu