Good to be reminded that what I have is plenty

I was visiting with a new acquaintance last weekend in her lovely home in Portales.

During the afternoon, as we sipped ice water and munched on cookies she’d baked earlier in the day, she twice used a word that rarely makes it into conversations any more.

In fact, I can’t think of the last time I’ve heard anyone use it.

It’s not a challenging or unusual word. It’s not even hard to spell.

It was this: Content.

I’m talking about the one with the accent on the second syllable; the one that my American Heritage Dictionary defines as, “Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.”

When this gracious woman welcomed me into her home, we walked past what turned out to be a 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle that was mostly completed.

Picture puzzles came up in our visit.

She gestured to that one and mentioned that she loves to get a cup of coffee first thing in the morning when her house is quiet and the day is just waking up. She settles next to that puzzle and sips her coffee and fits in a few pieces.

“I just feel so content,” she said.

Later, she told me about her sewing room that she once used diligently. A gifted seamstress and talented quilter, she said there was a period in her life when she would spend entire days in that room.

“I could go out there for hours,” she said. “I was so content.”

After I left her house with a hug and a promise of a return visit, that word “content” kept popping back up in my mind.

It’s a word I want to add back to my active vocabulary, and a concept I want to experience more often.

I know I’m not the only one who starts each day with a scribbled to-do list that I never seem to complete.

It’s easy to focus on chores, goals, tasks, accomplishments, functions, events, and obligations. We seem to be hardwired to be on the lookout for improvements, upgrades, and replacements.

But today, I am pouring that second cup of coffee, and taking the time to consciously desire no more than what I already have.

Because what I have is plenty.

I am satisfied, yes, even content.

And I am grateful to a new friend for reminding me of that.

Betty Williamson hopes you are content today, too. Reach her at:

[email protected]