Thought for the Week: Being Content With What Is Ours
During a Sunday drive, my wife and I stumbled across this wonderful old covered bridge above. It was an ordinary day made special by warm conversation and a light fall of snow (note the blips in the photo). We didn’t own anything we saw that day. But we owned the day. And that was enough. We were content with what was ours.
“In this universe everything has its rightful owner. If something does not belong to you then you shall not even have a bit of it. However, the fresh breeze over the rivers and the bright moon above the mountains are exceptions. If you can hear it, it is a sound for you. If you can see it, it is a sight for you. It never ends and it is never exhausted.” ~Su Shi (11th Century)
“Yes, there is a Nirvana: It is leading your sheep to a green pasture, putting your child to sleep, and writing the last line of your poem” ~Kahlil Gibran
“(When) the picture of the fruit you have not found is still before you…you make the real fruit taste insipid by thinking of the other.” ~C.S. Lewis
“Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.” ~Sanchita Pandey
One of life’s greatest challenges is striving for what could be and ought to be, while learning to be content with what is.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Morag.
You are welcome.
Beautifully said! Thank you. “We didn’t own anything we saw that day. But we owned the day.” ❤️
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You describe an essential state of being Mitch and finished with a profound quote. There is something special about covered bridges, one being the rarity I think. Nostalgia of course, their history as well. I have been on very few but there is one from the 1800s about an hour’s drive from me. When it reopens next year from rehabilitation I will take my wife for a drive.
They’re certainly among this country’s treasures.
…”we owned the day…” Love that Mitch…and the photo of the covered bridge is fantastic. Moody and captivating. Thank you for sharing it…and your wisdom, too. Sending hugs! 💝
Hugs back, Vicki❣
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Thanks, Mitch. We need reminding that what we have is fine, deserving gratitude, and what we don’t have is allowable. Such an evocative bridge to find on what I think was and then became more so a delightful day.
Lovely reminder! There is a difference between being “satisfied” and being “content.” The former, to me, implies settling, maybe thinking “that’s all I can get/do/be, so OK.” But “content” to me means I am happy and grateful for what I have. It’s fine to strive to improve ourselves and pursue our Big Dreams. But we should at the same time feel content with where God has us right NOW because that is always what He planned for us and His plans are never wrong or late or not enough. Beautiful picture too!
Thank you, Caroll.
Infusion day (for Crohn’s) but found blessings all around me–big ones (including a compelling foreword for my next book) and small ones (like non-icy patches on the sidewalk where I can walk, after a welcome nap)!
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Love this. Contentment is right up there with gratitude as soul, mind and heart attitudes I am working to more consciously cultivate.
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Beautifully written, and I love the photograph. It is extraordinary!
Thank you, Janet!
I love days like that!
Lovely mood-filled image, Mitch. And the quote by Su Shi is wonderfully profound. Thanks, mitch. 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy.
I love covered bridges. I remember a movie that starred Clint Eastwood who painted covered bridges. Please keep up your good work.
Thank you, Anonymous friend.
Wisdom Mitch.
Thanks, Norm.
So beautiful, I love these quotes. It’s so true and we all need to remember to be thankful for all the things we have.
Love the thoughts and the photo of the covered bridge. Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Robbye!
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Super loved the thoughts Mitch. You’re amazing.
Aw, thank you, Erwin.
The photo reminds me of a Thomas Kinkade painting. Very peaceful and welcoming. When we visit (or happen upon) special places with people we love, we really do own those memories. And photos or paintings merge the moments attached to the memories into one. Very nice, Mitch.
Thank you, Sue.
Yeah! Beautiful Foto. It reminds me on the Movie with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep: ,,Brücken am Fluss” (I don’t know its english original name. ,, Bridges across the river”? Something like that?)
My wife and I went to the cinema. She wanted to see that. Girls-Stuff. ,,It can be boring the next two hours”, I thought. But – surprise – it catched both of us. Very good movie!
And I agree with the thougts of this post to. But ,,Everything has its rightful owner…(and so on)”? – No. Stay poor! Realy? I read the paper about an Island, and a Milliardär, and an rotten Prince of England… and some guys, who were presidents and ministers in the past…and so on and on. This ,,Su Shi” was a rotten fish; I guess. 🙂
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Beautiful!
That is the most beautiful photo. What great words to follow. Thank you so much for sharing!
My pleasure, Andi.
Beautiful! And right on target for these anxious times. Thank you, brother Mitch.
My privilege, friend.
I experience so much peace reading your work, Mitch. 🙌
I’m so happy to hear that, Anonymous friend.
Love this scenery, just beautiful and relaxing
This is a perfect description and example of content. Stopping to be in the moment and appreciate what is around you brings beauty to your soul, and triggers deeper thinking.
Beautifully said, Mitch!
Thank you, T.
My pleasure.
This feels grounding 🌿✨ loving the reminder to be content with what we have 💛📌
Thank you, Aarav.
The CS Lewis quote is too real. That place looks like its straight out of a story book. It’s calming.
We drove past it at first, but then turned around and went back. Just had to take the picture, even though it was starting to snow.
I thought I was looking at an AI image, mood-enhanced for effect. But no! That charming little bridge and those stately gates actually exist! Contentment does grow as we savor sublime moments, recognizing that every good gift comes from our Father above (James 1:17).
Exactly, Nancy.
Beautiful Mitch Thank you. It’s a blessing to live in the world of “enough”!
My pleasure, Anonymous friend.
Wonderful reminders, Mitch, to find joy and contentment in what we have already been blessed with.
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Beautiful
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quotes from the 13th century
I love this, and I love the photo – you could probably sell prints of that.
Why, thank you, Ame.
Amen 🙏
That’s great Mitch and indeed the simple things in life make it more colourful if only we appreciate them. Wonderful post, as usual,my dear ❤️😁
Thank you, Afrodite. 🧡
Beautiful.
Thank you, Isabella.
Wonderful quotes! 💕
We owned the day— perfect!
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Valuable sentiments worth remembering, Mitch. Thanks!
My privilege, Jack.
Wonderful story and quotes…nods in agreement:)
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