What makes you content? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jar_e · 12-13-2008, 05:26 PM

Since CP seems to be like therapy to some and combine that with me locking myself in my place all weekend due to the cold, it gave me a lot of time to think. I ultimately came to the conclusion that I am not content. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely privileged....I've done more in the 20 years of my life than I ever could expected, I'm working a job people dream of doing, and when I compare my life to others I feel like I should be extremely happy with where I am...but I'm not. I'm not unhappy, but I'm not content.

So what makes you content? Is it your family? Friends? Material goods?

Enlighten me CP....enlighten me

BuzzardsWife · 12-13-2008, 05:35 PM

I think it's hard to be content in todays society. It's an I want society. People never seem to be happy with what they have, always want more. I'm content to have a roof, a warm cozy home, food, and A&E, and to have my husband come home every night happy and safe and to have my kids love.

ricosuave · 12-13-2008, 05:38 PM

Having been down this road a bit myself, I find that true human interaction (friends, family and loved ones) is what makes it for me. I find I am at my happiest when I experience it, and at my lowest when I do not.

But as Buzzards wife says, I also think it is increasingly difficult to attain that, and that things like material possessions and societies demands or ideals of what is right, is very often the polar opposite of what we all need.

Displaced Flames fan · 12-13-2008, 05:49 PM

Nothing so far.

Struggling mightily with this entire concept, TBQH.

37 years and at times I feel like I've wasted about 98% of it. From the outside, it doesn't look like that. People around me are proud of me. I'm not.

Strange.

MrMastodonFarm · 12-13-2008, 05:52 PM

The only time I full truely content, is when I'm with my family around the holidays. I'm like a pig in Christmas day. Especially as I got older (my brother and I being the youngest) and the present became less and less important, and it was just about relaxing and being together.

Winsor_Pilates · 12-13-2008, 05:56 PM

I don't believe in being content. I'm content with the fact that I will never be content, and happiness for me comes from having new goals and achieving them.

FanIn80 · 12-13-2008, 06:00 PM

nm

Phanuthier · 12-13-2008, 06:11 PM

Skiing and Soccer do it for me. The prospect of opportunity (but not actually achieving opportunity) as well, like applying for a job I really want. Sometimes, doing something really special or great with a significant other too.

Its funny, but I don't really feel any joy from achieving any sort of milestones. I saw getting my high school and university undergrad degree as "meh" while most people would be jacked. I might be hopeful of getting an 'A' in a specific class, but when I actually get an 'A' its meh as well.

I also realized I don't really have any real goals in life that I dream of or anything. Most people dream of seeing Australia or Europe, or seeing a play or a concert or meeting a sports idol or something like that. I don't really have any of that. Being in university, I sort of see as something like a task, not really something I'm working towards.

FiftyBelow · 12-13-2008, 06:12 PM

As others have stated, family, friends and being with loved ones is part of what helps me to feel content. However, I also have to add in my religious faith... I know religion isn't always too kindly looked upon around here, but personally it always has the answers that nobody else can easily provide.

For me I also tend to have this urge to be on the move. I can never remain in one city or place for too much time. Too much familiarity just makes me feel too suffocated or "bored" for lack of a better word. This is partially why I chose to leave home for school... needed to leave the comfort zone and experience something new. If anyone has ever seen that movie Big Fish.. its always been a favorite of mine simply because the main character (Edward Bloom) just seemed to have that similar urge to be on the move and to keep accomplishing things that he never knew he could. I also tend to travel a lot... nothing like seeing all the diverse people and places which almost seems endless.

Kipru · 12-13-2008, 06:19 PM

Really all I need is a warm sleeping place, enough money to buy which ever beer/vodka (naturally koskenkorva or Sisu) I want, and which ever meat I want. I have got that. This is a situation that I have dreamed about since my college and university days, and I love it. Now I have to figure out what I do with the surplus that an Austrian pulp mill making company gives to me....Ok, the one missing part is a cottage near lake Saimaa, so I think I use the extra money to that. This way I don't any worries to think about, so I'm content.

showtime · 12-13-2008, 06:25 PM

Nothing makes me happier then going outside and fooling around with my hockey stick and rubber ball. Best stress relief ever firing the ball agaisnt the garage,

rubecube · 12-13-2008, 06:25 PM

I don't think you're meant to be content at this age. I'd think it would take many years and variety of experiences to get to that stage.

FireFly · 12-13-2008, 10:43 PM

I am not content. In fact, I'm almost depressed with my lack of acheivement in life. Sure, I have a cool job... but few close friends and no one to love and be loved by. I think having a family to care for would make me content, but I don't have that. Perhaps I'm pinning my happiness on the existence of others who don't yet exist? Sad, really. Anyhew, I'm most content when snuggling.

The Fonz · 12-13-2008, 10:49 PM

I'd suggest that you find things to do with your spare time. If you're always busy, and if you have a lot of hobbies, you don't ever get to the point of whether you're content with you're life or not (IMO).

Sounds like you have a great job, so that's covered, now you just need to fill your extra time with things you enjoy. Make wine! Or something.... Start a ziploc bag fart library!... Build a potato gun! I don't know... just do something fun, you'll be happier.

Get laid!

FireFly · 12-13-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I'd suggest that you find things to do with your spare time. If you're always busy, and if you have a lot of hobbies, you don't ever get to the point of whether you're content with you're life or not (IMO).

Sounds like you have a great job, so that's covered, now you just need to fill your extra time with things you enjoy. Make wine! Or something.... Start a ziploc bag fart library!... Build a potato gun! I don't know... just do something fun, you'll be happier.

Get laid!

Oh, my days are full. Don't get me wrong, I'm busy. I have fun. Fun doesn't mean content though.

JiriHrdina · 12-13-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by showtime

Nothing makes me happier then going outside and fooling around with my hockey stick and rubber ball. Best stress relief ever firing the ball agaisnt the garage,

I'm a pretty content person but the most joy I used to get was playing ball hockey. I just LOVED it - i could play for hours and hours and still want to play more.

Haven't been able to play for over 2 years because of a knee injury - and I still miss it so much. It's been a massive gap in my life that nothing else has filled.

jammies · 12-13-2008, 11:05 PM

Cows are content. My advice is to aspire to something more worthy.

habernac · 12-13-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Nothing so far.

Struggling mightily with this entire concept, TBQH.

37 years and at times I feel like I've wasted about 98% of it. From the outside, it doesn't look like that. People around me are proud of me. I'm not.

Strange.

You aren't alone.

I made some crappy choices in my early 20's, screwed around, partied, had go nowhere jobs. Got my #$%! together in my late 20's and got an ok job. Should have went to University, but I didn't. Too lazy.

The last few years have been better. My family makes me the most content. Lots of work when they're this young, though. Sports is a close second, had an amazing year on the mountain bike this year. Hockey is ok as well. Not as fast as I once was, but I do ok.

jayswin · 12-13-2008, 11:12 PM

^^^^^^^

Edit: This is in response to JiriHrdina's post.

Same deal for me with rec hockey. I played hockey when I was a kid, but there was always so much pressure. I remember being like 11 years old, and we were treated like a friggin NHL team. 3 coaches, 3 practices for every game, 4:1 ice time for the top players, physical abuse after bad games from the coaches (actually only one coach), screaming parents, the reinforcment by everyone around you that you're failing when things aren't going well.

I thought that was the be all and end all of playing organized hockey, I thought you had to make it big or hockey was just over in your life. Then about 4 years ago I discovered rec hockey, it was honestly a world I never knew existed. Now I play on two teams and am pumped to play every week. It 's the perfect mix of competitiveness and fun.

For me, shinny isn't enough, I love the structure, two refs and timekeeper, divisions, playoffs, jerseys and all that, but without all that s*** you have to deal with in minor hockey.

Rathji · 12-13-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

I made some crappy choices in my early 20's, screwed around, partied, had go nowhere jobs. Got my #$%! together in my late 20's and got an ok job. Should have went to University, but I didn't.

This is my exact life in my early 20's. I didn't want to go into debt to go to school, so I just started working out of high school. When I was about 25 I realized I hadn't accomplished anything but still had gone into debt. It was about then I realized I needed to go back to school.

It took a while to get rid of the debt and make it so I could go back but I am almost done my 3rd year at UofC and even though it is tough I wouldn't go back.

It is strange being 10 years older than almost everyone in your classes, but when I was single I did find some advantages to being surrounded by 20 year old women who apparently had some sort of allergy to concealing clothing. Now though it is over rated.