Contentment can often feel elusive. We commonly grapple with a sense of lack or an excess of satisfaction, teetering between the two extremes. Learning to be content means finding that sweet spot in between. But how can we achieve this balance?

An important step is shifting our focus away from ourselves. It’s natural for humans to view the world from a self-centric perspective, pondering our desires and the impact of decisions on us. This perspective is further reinforced by our interactions on social media, where we craft narratives that may or may not align with reality.

To learn contentment, we must first take our eyes off ourselves. But then, what should we focus on? Shifting focus to the lives of others isn’t the answer either; it doesn’t lead to contentment. Constant comparisons, especially on social media, perpetuate discontent as we navigate the divide between our desires and reality.

To find contentment, we must tune our attention to a higher love. Recognizing that we are beings deserving of love and capable of giving it, we embark on the path of contentment. We understand there’s a love beyond ourselves, an affection directed towards us, imbuing our lives with value.

As we start this journey towards contentment, a crucial question arises: have we experienced this higher love? It’s a love that comes from outside ourselves, even when we may not fully understand or deserve it. In the circles I travel, we call it ‘grace.’ We see ourselves as recipients of grace—unmerited love. Resting in this knowledge, we move closer to contentment, knowing that despite our present circumstances, in the end, everything is shaped by a higher and transcendent love.