One of the things that make people unhappy is if they are not satisfied with what they have or what they are. However, few people know that being happy is possible. All you have to do is just be contented with what you have or who you are. What is the secret of contentment? A grateful heart is the secret of contentment.

What are the barriers of contentment?

1. Bitterness – when you hold grudges, you will never be happy. If you are bitter because your boss chose to promote somebody else instead of you, if you are bitter because your best friend has more suitors than you, if you are bitter because you don’t have the latest gadgets. You will never ever be contented.
2. Envy – one of the 10 commandments is “Though shall not covet your neighbor’s goods” It is self-explanatory. Not only it is a sin, it ruins your happiness because you always consider yourself a loser because you do not have what others have.
3. Wants – you are having too many ambitions. Some even impossible ambitions. You always end up failing because you never stop. Ambitions are good if you aspire for things that are reachable and possible.

Yes, it is hard not to have these things above. We are not saints. We are not mutants and most of all we are not robots. If we seek possible sources to be contented and control bitterness, envy and wants, then why not try it.

So where do we get sources of Contentment?

1. Humility – real humility is right estimation of oneself. You do not have to pretend to be poor if you are not. Do not pretend to be dumb if you are not, just because you want to look humble. Do not prove your selves to others. Let others find it out themselves.
2. Gratitude- contentment starts with a grateful heart as I have said. Always and always count your blessings and never count things that you have not.
3. Devotion – always have constant communication to your god. If you are a Christian, pray. If you are a Catholic then hear mass.

So what is in it for us if we are contented? It is simple. If we are contented then we have:

1. Joy – taste the fruit of gratitude. Have you tried what real joy is? Start to be grateful.
2. Simplicity – when you reduce your wants to simplicity, then you are rich.
3. Confidence – you will not have any insecurity because you are contented.

Now who would not want any of these?