CONTENTMENT AND CHANGE:  THE PARADOX      

          Contentment is the greatest of all wealth.  Being at peace with ourselves, accepting where we are is not at odds with the concept of change, yet at first, it is difficult to see how they can work together.

          A millionaire who is not content with his wealth has an internal experience of being poor.  A man of little means who is content has an internal experience of wealth.  Too many people today live in a chronic state of discontent, constantly aware of where they would like to be, and unaware of the present moments of their lives.  Striving to be elsewhere, while disdaining the present conditions only serves to undermine the power of the individual to create change.  His forces of concentration are scattered; he is motivated by hate (leaving) rather than by love (going toward); he is closed to many ideas that can come to him only in a state of calm openness.

          Paradoxically, the more we are content, the more we are open to change.  We do not have to be restless and ill at ease to create change in our lives.  We can find strong motivation in a desire to learn and grow while living in a particular difficult situation.

          Contentment does not mean complacency or giving up desire to improve one's circumstances.  Contentment means a peaceful, stable, inner knowing that allows you to think clearly, experience in the moment, and take action without being motivated by hate or anger about the situation.  Adopting the perspective of change as growth, we learn more patience and clarity. 

          Another paradox:  the more we transform ourselves, the more we become who we really are.  In that sense, we already are who we want to be.  We are simply unveiling ourselves -- taking off the layers.  Underneath is the shining jewel that has always been there.