I have never seen a billboard that says:
You have enough. You do enough. You are enough.
Online advertisers seem to know that I am female and suspect me of being 'senior'. Assuming that I must be unhappy, they regale me with ways to improve my lot. I can plump and smooth my skin using their amazing cream! Look ten years younger in only ten minutes a day with their unique routine! Heal ailments with this wonder-concoction that big Pharma don't want us to know about! Win this stunning mansion! I can even overcome my psychological and spiritual limitations with this special course! I live in a consumer-capitalist society. The rarity of suggestions that I could be happy with my life as it is now is no surprise. I have never seen a billboard that says: You have enough. You do enough. You are enough.
I tell myself that I am wise to their tricks. Of course, they want to sell me something. The very last thing they wish for me is contentment. But advertising attracts some of our brightest talents. These guys are no fools. They know that I, like most of my fellow humans, am prone to discontent. They have guessed that at least in part, I do want to look and feel younger. I would like to be happier. Part of me seeks something ‘out there’ that can provide what I imagine will make me feel good.
I too am involved in promoting something - mindfulness - through teaching and writing. I do this because it has helped me and I see that mindfulness can help others. But mindfulness works by fostering contentment rather than discontent. It encourages the sense of 'enough'.
Being contented asks me to accept whatever is already happening. By acceptance I do not mean passivity; allowing others to mistreat us. Or when, through fear of change, we endure a toxic job or relationship. Neither do I mean we should not seek to improve our lives; being open and honest with ourselves and with others. Having the courage to make changes where we need to. To insist on change, even. But to make positive changes, we need to start where we are, not where we'd like to be.
Acceptance is a willingness to meet whatever is happening in the present moment. If what is happening is pleasant, we can meet it with delight but not seek to extend it. If what is happening is unpleasant, meet it with patience but try not to avoid it. There is a saying in mental health circles: "it's okay not to be okay". Meaning, we don't need to give ourselves a hard time when we aren't feeling great. Nobody feels good all the time.
Letting things be opens up a simpler and more peaceful relationship with the world. The consumer-capitalist world we live in affords great individual freedom, at least for some. But, for all its benefits, it has gone too far - our entire planet is now at risk. We need to change. And one change we can make is within our own minds. Question the advertisements. Consider what you really need. Look for contentment in your life. Contentment is a radical act!
I have enough. I do enough. I am enough.
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