I have recently watched a Netflix series titled “Squid Game” — a Korean drama depicting the reality of how people get easily hooked into gambling, debts, and other financial malady because of wanting to have more. A group of people agreed to play children’s games, and whoever wins, he or she will also receive loads of money. But of course, in a game with high prizes, the stakes are always just as high.
I personally do not think that the movie is in any sense wholesome; but despite being so, Squid Game succeeds in revealing an important flaw of human nature that is greed.
The issue of contentment is relevant to each individual in a modern and materialistic world. The dictionary defines contentment as “the state of being mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are.” Having defined so, being contented can be positive to some but negative to others.
Those who are looking for peace and serenity in their lives pursue contentment. When there is contentment, one recognizes and accepts who he is, including his strengths and weaknesses. He also enjoys the things he possesses and maximizes the use of the same. He is grateful and appreciates things he has but never makes these things the basis of his total happiness in life. There is mental and emotional satisfaction with who they are and what they have when one is contented in life.
On the other side, those who are unsatisfied with their lives are not happy with who they are and what they have. They continue to find ways to make a lifestyle beyond their means work out. In a way, discontentment sometimes makes one’s life improve. For one, it can persuade them to do better in life. But on the flip side, discontentment can lead to the negative path of greed, which, when traversed farther, may be difficult to escape.
According to Tony Gaskins, a motivational speaker, “to be content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more; it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come.” The challenge to us is when to say that enough is enough. Contentment is relative and subjective to different people. There are people who have plenty beyond meeting their basic needs yet still coveting for more. They compromise their physical and mental wellness and even neglecting meaningful relationships. They are often stressed out to maintain and gain more possessions. Their discontentment is a curse to themselves.
Learn to accept the negative situations and pray for these things so you can overcome. It will also be helpful to count the things that we have than to grumble about those we don’t. Remember that it is difficult to be contented when your heart is set on accumulating more. Start out by saying thanks for the blessings in your life, whether big or small.
“Keep the joy in your heart, pray always; and in all things give thanks to God because this is his desire to those who are in Christ.” My version of I Thessalonians 5:17-18
Enough is enough
