Somewhere I heard the phrase “restless striving.” This phrase has stayed with me, as I feel it very well describes the state in which many of us live. Perhaps it is our restless striving that carries so many of us from one phase of discontentment to another. 

Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.” The fact that we have options, i.e. freedom, is the root cause of our anxiety. This freedom leads us to believe there is always something else out there that might be better for us. We could live in a different city, send our children to a different school, have a more fulfilling job, a better home, and so on. We are constantly pondering numerous alternatives to our current state, hence, the anxiety.

This day and age, contentment seems a dying concept. Is it possible to continue to strive, to work to achieve the goals you have set for yourself, while fully appreciating your current lot in life? Maybe you will accomplish great things. Maybe all of your dreams will come true. And maybe they won’t. There are many unknown variables that will dramatically alter your course, but if you are aware and can accept this inevitable randomness, and can continue to strive while remaining content with whatever good fortune has befallen you, you will experience a greater level of contentment. If you can do this while transcending society’s view that success is defined by financial status and material goods, better still.

“He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who suits his temper to any circumstance.” –David Hume