A Little Contemplative Today...

I took a walk over lunch today and had some good think time. So, here's my philosophical musing for the the day. A rambling if you will.
I was thinking about one of my patients, and my mind went on a tangent about the idea of contentment. I remember Rese telling me that one of the biggest struggles for many women during marriage is discontentment. Then I thought for a little while about what guys deal with in that regard, and the best I could come up with today is their career. But the problem is much greater than those two areas. I think it comes down to a human problem. We're just discontent creatures by nature. It is what makes us visionaries and ambitious, but also can be very destructive in our lives. And that is what I want to spend a moment on tonight.
I think that discontentment has become largely an American problem. Our society is built on instant gratification and materialism. Our economy is basically surviving on those who just have to have the next new thing. You aren't happy with your current situation? Just find something new! That's the temptation for all of us to deal with, large issue or small. We often lack the vision though to see what those decisions will bring us long-term. Our country's economic situation is just one example.
I also think that discontentment has a strong tie to happiness. I frequently meet genuinely happy people, and though they might have rough times in life, they are able to be content with themselves and their situation. Don't mistake me. I'm not talking about complacence, but staying away from that deep desire to always look for something better.
Lastly, I think you are more likely to become discontent when you let your circumstances define you. So many people place their identities in their career, hobbies, etc. When that changes, what do you have left? All that to say my final thought - Let something greater than yourself define you and you will survive the harshest storms in life. Build your life on a foundation that will stand firm even when the world falls around you.
Stream of consciousness, yes, but I hope you follow me. Good night friends.