This photo was taken at Clear Lake Resort in the Oregon Cascades. The water really is that color. This photo has not been Photoshoped or anything.This is straight out of the Camera.The water is this color because during a volcanic eruption it was cut off from its river and made into a lake and the things you can faintly see underwater is a submerged forest.
This photo perfectly demonstrates for me the word contentment. I have been thinking a lot about contentment lately.What constitutes contentment for you ?
In the beginning of this year I chose a word/idea to focus on for the the year and my word was revitalize (which I haven't done so well with). I want my word for the rest of this year and next year to be Contentment.
I find that in today's society and with all that is going on with the economy that to learn to be content with what I have is important to me. I have over the last three years veered away from being materialistic and always wanting what's new , cool , trendy to learning to live with less and appreciating the simple things in life. I find that on a whole I am more at peace with myself living this lifestyle.
Contentment to me is:
Talking to my sister and niece,nephew on the phone.
The rare days that me and my husband have off together each week.
The Thank You of a patient I have taken care of.
The glistening beauty of dewdrops on a spiderweb on a fall morning.
The tasty of a hearty homecooked soup on a crisp fall night.
The new season of CSI.
The love of my animals.
The beauty of a fall night when it seems there are a million stars.
The relaxation of a good book.
The glorious crayola box of color that nature puts on display this time of Year.
con·tent·ed
Pronunciation:
\kən-ˈten-təd\
Function:
adjective
Date:
15th century
: feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation
Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
Og Mandino
20 comments:
You named many of the same things that bring me contentment. I want to try and get back to a simple way of living. I want to focus on what is important in my life. Being over 50, I find that I am not as hung up on what other people think about me. I even go out without makeup occasionally. I want to be content with who I am.
Mama Bear
Oh, and I have seen lakes this color also. I think sometimes it has to do with the minerals in the soil in certain areas also.
hi yolanda!
thank you for your comment on the blog! the water in this picture is amazing.........ahhhh contentment! it is something i am always trying to work on. i really enjoyed your blog and will be back! have a blessed week!
julie
That water is stunning. What a great post Yolanda. I find contentment in the natural world around me, and in the time spent with friends and family. I can also be content savoring the lovely smells of flowers in my garden and fragrant food simmering. I love answering this question because I realize I could go on and on with what brings me contentment and it's actually quite easy to have. When I feel useful that brings great contentment.
i've seen this lake. i have been in a canoe on this lake. it is beautiful isn't it? contentment...hmmm.
to stay in the moment gives me a feeling of contentment but it is oh so difficult to do. petting and holding my zippy dog truly gives me contentment. and i have a grandbaby and touching her, watching her and playing with her gives me unassailable contentment. you are a true book person i see. reading also gives me contentment if i can accomplish number 1.
I also chose a word at the beginning of the year: rest.
The apostle Paul wrote that He had learned how to be content with much or little. It didn't depend on the outside things, but on his belief and faith in God. Great post.
We share many areas of contentment. Thank you fro the lovely reminder! I'm glad to see you're blogging again (but you need to recommend some books on your other blog!).
Contentment is the peace that comes with trying hard, meaning well, and opening the heart.
Beautiful.
We have a few rivers with this colour here in Norway. Mostly the water is melted icewater from glaziers.
Going to have to think a bit about what it means for me specifically, but I love the word 'contentment' itself. It's a warm, full-bodied sort of word, full of calmness and light. Great post, and I love the idea of this concentration on a particular word or concept.
Dear Yolanda,
It is a joy to meet you.
This is a beautiful lake. I take Lake Klamath blue-green algae, which I think is near by.
I require so little. I think I am content to be who I am and love what is here to love.
It is easy to love birds and bugs and blooms. It is easy to love the stars. Live is good.
In all things and in all ways there is something to love. Finding it can take a spell but always worth the hunt.
Looking forward to reading the rest of your journal and your book blog.
I am a reader too.
Enjoy the day.
Namaste,
Sherry
Hi Yolanda! Your photo is beautiful, and the quotation you chose is RIGHT ON! Thank you for posting what is moving in you these days. Contentment is a wonderful word for your focus. May your life overflow with contentment every day.
What a LOVELY spot … so peaceful! The color of the water is remarkable too. I enjoyed clarification of what contentment is for you … and find your list bears a striking resemblance to the gratitude lists I write for myself regularly. I’ve forgotten who said this originally, but I do believe that most of us ARE about as happy as we make up our minds to be. You know how I love quotes and being reminded of Og Mandino today makes me smile from ear to ear. Thanks for sharing … and for dropping by Sacred Ruminations yesterday and leaving a comment.
Hugs and blessings,
Beautiful water! I think Contentment is a fine word to dwell on.
Lovely post.
I love these thoughts. Contentment for me can be many things. A few of them: lying in the hammock with a book, listening to my daughter play on her swingset and looking up to applaud each time she says, "Look, Momma. Watch me do this!" Contentment is watching the morning sun turn the sky a pretty pink, then orange, then eventually a quiet blue. Contentment IS Clear Lake, one of the places we went on our honeymoon. Also, Wilson's Cottages and Campgrounds near Crater Lake. Hope you have a weekend full of quiet contentment.
I like going out and taking a walk around the pond...it always helps me to relax ...
Contentment is having less and sharing, seeing, feeling more. Does that about sum it up? It's about all the little things that money can't buy, the dewdrop in the grass reflecting the rainbow, the smile of someone you don't know and will never see again, a sheep that greets you on the paddock and nuzzles up to you trustingly gazing into your eyes. It may not remember that you fed it flowers from your garden over the fence at dawn when there was not a green blade of grass left for it to eat, it remembers the simple equasion you = good. The acceptance of wild things when you walk in their territory. There are so many things that go to make up the riches of our existance.
What a great post. I think your way of thinking toward a less materialistic way of life it admirable, especially with the lean toward contentment. I have been discontent recently - longing for a simple, noncorporate escape from the rat race of my life. Thank you for the beautiful post.
What a beautiful post. I like the concept of Contentment, as well, and you have inspired me to contemplate my direction for the balance of the year and prepare for the year ahead. I enjoyed your list of things that define contentment for you and had to laugh at the inclusion of CSI - one of my favourite shows, as well. :o)
Thank you for stopping by for a visit today. I do love receiving visitors and meeting new friends.
Carolynn
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