High Heels And Contentment.
Almost daily I look in my closet and decide that I need more heels because if I had them I would look cute and put together all the time like Carrie from Sex and The City. But the truth of the matter is that I don’t really wear heels, I just always want to be the kind of person who does. Most days I put on my beat up beloved UGGS or my moccasins or my flip-flops and trot off to wherever it is that I am going. But how cool would I be if I wore heels to the grocery store or the movies or even out to breakfast!
People would wish that they were as stylish and daring as I was; they would look at me jealously as I would walk down the cereal aisle and pass through the deli section. So I tell myself, you NEED more heels so that you are a someone that other someone’s notice.
Last year at this time I was planning my future and making subconscious lists in my head of the things that I would need in order to be content. And every day of every year from the moment I was born, I was wishing for something that I didn’t have, hoping for something different. But here I am, at a place in my life where I have so many of those things that I wished for, so many of those things that I “needed” in order to be content. But it still doesn’t feel like enough. I am still craving more.
I know that I am not alone in this. Most people I know would say that they have lived their life the very same way; the rest of them are probably lying. So what is the key to contentment? What “gets” us there?
I am sorry to say that is the problem right there. I have never felt less content than when I am planning my path to contentment. In fact, contentment has nothing to do with planning or control or perfection. It is completely about the moment and connection to self. Contentment is never found in striving to be something you are not.
How many millions of dollars do human beings spend on searching for contentment and peace? How many drugs do we consume and sexual relationships do we jump into and how much reality TV do we watch thankful that we are not as disgusting as the people that we are watching. And if no one else will admit it I will. I admit that every single reality show I watch makes me feel like I am a complete and total angel, blessed beyond words, the farthest thing from mean and conceited and selfish.
I read a book once about all of the beautiful little things in life. It was a book about a journey, not a destination. A story of islands of contentment and peace, not a constant euphoric feeling. It’s about a beautiful sunset, a dinner with friends, resting in the arms of someone you love. Contentment is there when you stop looking for it. It is s much there in the long hours of the job that you hate as it is there in your once In a lifetime vacation to Hawaii. It makes no difference where you are as long as you are there loving yourself, loving others, loving your creator from the deepest depths of your soul.
So what are your heels? What are those things that you feel like you need in order to belong, to be noticed, to be content and happy. Who knows, you may find that you actually don’t really wear heels anyway.
Elizabeth E. – Your post caught my eye because of a related tag line I saw about Birkenstocks. When I was in college, my best friend and I traipsed around in Birkenstocks and tie-dyed leggings and long shirts. Everyone thought we were sisters (and still do). Heels are seriously over-rated…
But you are asking important questions. When I was young my dad said that guys think women are most beautiful when they wear little make-up and have the wind blowing through their hair. I am grateful for his input. However, that didn't stop me from having my own need for "heels." My first "heels" were thinking that if I was a famous actress I would be loved. My second more serious "heels" involved waiting for the day I would be married, have kids and a house. None of these came to pass.
I gave up my need for heels when God reached down his hand to me and said I was his child. But if some Christian had told me I was a daughter of God I probably would have been 1) ticked off and 2) given them a blank stare. I only really heard it when God himself courted me.
Self-acceptance is a mystical profound journey that follows no real formula except maybe giving it some time. Wait until you hit your forties. It's a wonderful time. I have never felt more in my power or beauty. All the BS just kind of washes away.
So, dad was right. I am happiest and radiant when I'm barefooted, coming out of the ocean with wet hair, smiling and looking at God's amazing creation.
Don't spend another minute watching those awful reality shows. There are wonderful books to read, places to go, people to see. Better yet, you can hang out with you!