I’m excited to share that my new book, Clearing Emotional Clutter: Mindfulness Practices for Letting Go of What’s Blocking Your Fulfillment and Transformation is now available for pre-order. Let’s look for a moment at discontentment as excerpted from the book:
“Plato used the word pharmakon to represent something that was simultaneously a poison and a remedy. The unquenchable craving for more and the desire for newness and novelty might be considered a pharmakon to some extent. Much advertising strives to get us to discount what we already have in favor of something new. In other words, to sow the seeds of discontentment.
This is not to suggest that desiring a better car, house, or the latest fashion leads to discontentment. Wanting a house for your family can motivate you and your family to save and work hard for that goal—not to mention it being a good investment. It can be wise to replace cars, clothes, and mechanical devices that are wearing out and are costly to repair. But when does desire cross the threshold into producing a never-ending cycle of suffering and dis-content? When do novelty, newness, and the need for more reach the tipping point of becoming a pharmakon?
This all begs the question, When is enough really enough?”
Countering Emotional Discontentment Practice:
1) Notice where you find discontent in your day. What thoughts keep repeating that tell you, “this is not good enough, or I need something else to feel better or be happy”? Jot these down.
2) Rediscover the value and usefulness of that object or situation you would reject. How did you originally feel about this situation or object? Reconnect with those positive feelings of appreciation and excitement you once had. Write these down. Overcome dis-content by re-valuing and appreciating what is in your life today.
In-Joy:) Donald