The Hugging Home: The Intent of Discontent

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Intent of Discontent

"[If] there were none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach for anything better."

- Florence Nightingale

Discontent has been given a bad rap.

And Vanilla Ice has given many bad raps.

People have this idea that one should be happy and feel joy 24/7.

I get caught in this trap all the time.

Shouldn't I be happy all of the time?

But like Florence Nightingale said...and I paraphrase here...if we were all kicking up our heels in delight all the time, would anything motivate anyone to make any changes?

They say that "if it ain't broke, why fix it?", and so if all seemed to be rolling along nicely, why would we stop and think "hmmmm....I think I need to do something different?

Now perhaps you are thinking to yourself "Well Lora...if we were all happy, then why would we need to change anything?"

Well...that is a good point!

And that's a good point too!

But consider this.

Imagine a world where everything is static. Nothing new is ever invented. Nothing new is ever accomplished. Nothing new is ever attempted.

Smart dude, that Thomas.

Fifty years ago, do you think anyone could have imagined all of the leaps and bounds technology has made?

Way back when, do you think certain minority groups could have imagined - for example - an African-American President of the United States? Gay marriage being legal in parts of the world?

Long ago, do you think couples who were not able to conceive children on their own could have dreamt of the miracles of modern medical techniques that would allow them to have biological children of their own?

Of course, I could go on here, but I think I have made my point.

The fact is, people get comfortable with the way things are.

Not this flying fish!

And as I have said before "Rome was not built in a day". (OK, I said it...I did not come up with it!)

Tiny, little steps...one by one...just like the ones the ants march...were taken and little victories and discoveries slowly became bigger victories and discoveries.

Generations have passed on their knowledge to new generations.

And we still have a lot of work to do peeps!

You may be happy in your life and that is great.

But are you happy with everything in this world?

No...I'm not.

Is there anything you would like to see change?

I am not going to start quoting Gandhi here...but you know what he said.

OK...I lied.

And we don't have to single-handedly change the world.

But choose a cause.

Pick something that does not seem right to you.

Point out a problem.

Then do something to make it better.