Is being content okay?
At one point In my life, I viewed contentment in the same sense that I viewed complacency or apathy. I thought that I was unconcerned or that I was settling for how things were. To me, it meant that I didn’t care, and didn’t want to strive for better.
This is no longer the case.
Motherhood has taught me many lessons, and one of them is that it is okay, and even necessary, to be content.
I am a words person. I like definitions. The definition of contentment is: the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.
From this definition, the part that stuck with me was the ease of mind. In the past, “ease” was the last word that I would use to describe my mind when my expectations did not meet reality.
For the past few months, this word has been on my heart and my mind. It’s been a word that has been tested in the past year of my life and of motherhood. Honestly, I can’t say that this past year has been bad. What I can say is that this year has definitely been more difficult. I can also say that I have faced things that I haven’t faced before.
There are two main things that have taken place that has inspired my quest for contentment. First was realizing that my kids are growing up. This included the realization that they need me less. Or rather, they need me differently. As I said, not bad, but not something I’m used to.
In this new uncharted territory, I am seeking contentment in being the mom my kids need in this season of their life.
How do I handle this? Unquestionably, I am still a mom, but my role is evolving.
The second big change that has inspired my desire for contentment is reconciling that there is a big difference between my wishes for my kids and the reality of what does and might happen.
We as moms make these wonderful plans for our babies. We map out the details and fully expect these plans to come to fruition. That doesn’t always happen. Not that the way things turn out is any less wonderful. Or that they don’t have the potential to be wonderful. I am working on being content when my plans aren’t always what my kids need. This part has undoubtedly been one of the hardest parts for me.
A firm believer that we were created for the situations we face in our life, I have a tattoo that says, “for such a time as this.” This included the good times. The bad times. And the times that aren’t either. In these situations, I can be content. I can have ease of mind.
I can be content with knowing that I have what it takes to walk through this situation.
As moms, it is important to have a word to focus on in different seasons of our life. It can absolutely be more than that too. It can be a phrase, a quote, or anything that helps you embrace the season of motherhood you are in. For many years and to this day, I live by the saying “prayer and coffee.”
If you haven’t thought about it yet, think about something to focus on in 2023. Something that will help you remember that you are an awesome mother. Mine will be reminding me that I am a content mom. And that I can be content with where I am and where my kids are in this season.
I am content with the knowledge that I have what it takes to be their mom in the way they need.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
