BeckyGuys! We’re 2 whole months into this contentment challenge thing! I might actually make it! Let me start out by saying I’m definitely “the saver” in my relationship, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to spend on occasion!
This contentment challenge has been just that for me-A CHALLENGE! While last month was a struggle for me, this month has been a little easier for me, which I’m very grateful for. In the same token, I just want to buy a coffee!!!! It feels so weird to not be able to drive up to a local coffee shop window and order myself a coffee before I go grocery shopping or after an early morning workout.
What I HAVE continued to learn these past 2 months is that I’m grateful for the ability to do those things. I’m grateful that I’m able to buy myself a coffee on occasion or take a friend to breakfast or splurge on a shirt I’ve been eyeing at Target for 3 months that’s miraculously still in stock.
Not everyone has the option to decide not to buy anything and this challenge has reminded me how grateful I am for the little things. While I’m not “the spender” in my relationship, it’s nice to have the option to spend money, which has taught me to be grateful for what I have.
The second thing I’ve learned this month? Patience. I’m constantly telling my little man to be patient with me when we’re trying to get out the door or I’m making dinner. More recently, I’ve had to teach MYSELF how to be patient.
The amount of times that I’ve caught myself thinking, “is this challenge over soon?” is somewhat embarrassing. However, I’ve learned to remind myself that this is a temporary challenge that will yield permanent results. One of those results being patience.
I have some items on my list that I know I’m going to buy once I’m done with this challenge. In the meantime, I’ll keep reminding myself to have patience. Nothing worth having in life is easy.
The last thing I’ve learned during my 2nd month of this contentment challenge is how to be content. Oh, the irony! It seems like we’re always chasing something we don’t have and to an extent, that’s a good thing. If we’re not chasing something better than who or what we are, we’re not thriving.
When I say I’ve learned to be content these past 2 months, I mean I no longer wish and hope that my home would look a certain way before we have people come over. I no longer want to have a better car when I know the car I drive is doing a great job of transporting my little family around. I no longer want better clothing when I see that the clothes I has no holes and fits me fine.
The sooner we can learn to be content with what we have now, the sooner we’ll be happy with our lives! If all I learned from this challenge was to be grateful, patient and content, I’d be happy with the outcome of my first contentment challenge.
To learn more about the contentment challenge and what it entails, check it out on Nancy Ray’s page HERE. Stay tuned for the end of my first contentment challenge on April 10th!
