Finding contentment

THIS is a true story: A widow was disposing of some of her furniture and gave a rare cabinet to her daughter. An antique dealer saw it and offered P800,000, but the daughter wanted P1.5 million for it.

The dealer haggled, and the daughter accepted the offer! Later, she learned that the cabinet was sold at an auction, where the starting bid was P3 million. It was finally sold for P13 million! Aggrieved, she told her mother about it.

The mother said, “Don’t worry about it.” The daughter protested, “But, we need the money! What if you get sick?” The mother quipped, “Then, I will die. I don’t miss the cabinet—I miss your dad!”

The daughter belatedly realized that her mom had no attachment for furniture or money. She didn’t fear death. She placed more value on her relationships with her loved ones.

Often, people find themselves fighting over material possessions and higher positions—but, they end up unhappy. Those whose hearts are nourished by the love of the Supreme Friend need not worry.

Instead, they experience satisfaction and contentment, even if they don’t have much in life. Spiritual love fulfills their inner craving and longing for joy. Indeed, true riches aren’t found in material things.

Some proverbs that offer deeper insights about finding contentment:

• A harvest of peace grows from seeds of contentment. —Indian proverb
• Abundance doesn’t know contentment, but contentment is abundance. —Turkish
• Contentment is worth more than riches! —German

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