Once, when I visited a friend’s house, I happened to have a chat with his mother, who was quite old. What really struck me was that she maintained a pleasant face despite her old age infirmities. She was so different from the usual old faces we see. She told me that her son, daughter-in-law and grand- children were taking care of her very well. She was so thankful that God gave her the grace to live so long. Her husband was not fortunate like her to witness her son’s days of prosperity. Her siblings do not lead a life as prosperous as hers. Thus she enumerated a number of things that made her happy and content.
When I conversed with my friend later, he said that his mother did not complain about anything. She exhibited amazing tolerance when the food was late to serve or when her bathing water was less warm or when her ailments tormented her. My friend added that it was very easy to nurse her because of this nature. When I bid farewell to him, the faces of many elderly people flashed through my mind. Most of them were discontent faces that keep complaining about their sons, daughters, daughter-in-laws and son-in-laws or about the lack of life comforts.
Happiness is the hallmark of people who are content. But every- one who is happy need not be a con- tent person. Most people are happy when they get what they desire. They will lose their happiness and contentment when they do not get what they desire. Only those who are content can be really happy. Their happiness will be permanent.
It is a delightful experience to live and work with people who are really content. At the same time, it is very difficult to deal with those who are not content.
The first phase of contentment is to accept ourselves as we are. The second phase is to be aware of the reality and accept it. And the third phase is to be grateful. How better is our todays when compared to our yesterdays. Nevertheless, many people do not have this realization. When we compare ourselves with others, we will lose our happiness and contentment. The fourth phase to regulate our desires. Each one of us needs to do a self-assessment to know if we are truly content or not. Let us reflect to know if the reason for happiness is contentment.
DR ANTONEY P JOSEPH
Managing Editor
