Part of wellness is Contentment

[Singh1989]

"Thaal wich thin wasto paio; Sath, santokh, weecharo." 

The meaning of contentment (Santokh) is being happy with what you have around you. Job, wages, car and house. What do we mean by contentment? It means when life is going and you take happiness in that itself. well, you have 2 decent meals per day, you own a car and phone and you're happy that it gets the job done for you (car takes you places, phone call and text no hassle). However, it's easier to put blame on society that people pressurise us when not contentment. "My neighbour has a 4 by 4 and am stuck with a Micra. My phone is pre - 2010 model and all my mates have the latest one." See? On the outside you can tell everyone "Am happy." But are you happy within? 

If you own small and less things than others you need to find contentment in that. Will you have a decent meal and heating today because of your small house? Does your old mobile work when it needs to? Can you rely on your small car get you some place in an emergency? If yes then take a deep breath and smile knowing these facts (try it, you may find it the best thing to do). Of course, if you own bigger things that is great means you are well off and have money to spend. Do the same, take a deep breath and smile. 

Job with minimum wage is better than being on Government funds. A small car is better for parking and space. A pre 2010 mobile is better for its long lasting battery and will not suck you into using wifi all the time (they do not have wifi). By simply finding the positives to your situation one will find contentment. What good is a person in a mansion if they are still unhappy with space? What good is a very heavy meal of food if the mind thinks "Ok but I could have had this instead though." Sometimes even a rich person may find contentment by eating simple rice. But sometimes some people are like my close friend, who demands top quality restaurants, expensive food and says at the end of the day, "Next time we'll find a new place we never been before." He also loves top branded products over supermarket's own brand (But enough about my friend).

So, reason Gurbani states the importance of contentment is to be happy. HOWEVER! If you can afford big houses, cars and decent meals GREAT! This is not forbidden but why would desire "More big. More latest and more delicious meals?" With "More, more" one can never truly reach happiness. Instead it'll create stress on the mind and jealousy "My colleague has a better job, my neighbour's getting an extension and am not." These things are bad for the brain as it causes too much thinking and obsession.

You can own the world but what good is it if you still require more? You can own ALL the fancy cars in your city but if you're dreaming of Bagautii or Porsche what good is that? You can have a phone with 6GB but then you'll think "If only there was more GB in this..." Terrorists can take control and rule the world, see countries blown to bits but will they take a deep breath and say "This is it!?"   

So just be happy with what you get and see the benefits of it. Be tension free and jealous free.