Unappreciated Contentment

Recently, I have been thinking about life and aging. When I was younger, I secretly scoffed at those who espoused that each of our journey’s epochs brings its own characteristic joy. I now believe one has to be ready to hear what is important, or only when we are ready, will we hear what we need. One of the joys I have been thinking about lately (at this stage) is how wonderful it is to be content—and at the same time how comparatively simple. (Of course, this does not mean I dismiss the many evils of the world.)  Contentment is not overrated; in fact, for me, it is sorely unappreciated. I don’t feel as driven as I once did in most areas of my life—and far from that being aged-acquiescence, or reluctant acceptance of “my lot,” it is actually quite freeing. Without an unspoken (and sometimes unknowing) expectation to be something, as in early career life, one feels free to do without the activities needing to be more than the present. Whatever I do now is now; it is not part of some grander scheme to build upon, or a step in the ladder to get somewhere. As I mature, I discover that many times I am already there, and so easily sink into my skin….and write a song…