Five Rules of Contentment

sbelizabeth

As we look forward to another year, I would like to share the "Five Rules of Contentment" that were reportedly written in the 1800's. They have been pinned to my bulletin board since I started this BC fandango in 2011. Here's to 2017, and may the year be filled with contentment, health, and hope.

1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even of the weather.
2. Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances in which thou art not.
3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.
4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise that it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself.
5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. "The Lord will provide."

ash123

I agree hundred percent. We can make our lives livable and enjoyable or we can complain forever and remain in that misery. Gratefulness is a virtue, spreading love and helping others is its expression.

SSInUK

I love this. I think of this guidance often since you sent them to me Sbelizabeth. Thank you. Congrats on your 6 years, may 2017 be another. Wishing contentment to all.

Outfield

This is wonderful, but I have a little issue with #4. In my own life, I have very few regrets, but those I do have I try to use to steer myself in a better direction as I go. My top three:

- Saying something mean to a friend when I was drunk. I try not to do either of those two things anymore. Best to be kind and not drunken.

- Not trying out for a team despite a lot of encouragement because I hadn't played the sport. Try new things! The worst that can happen is you don't like it.

- Choosing to play and putting a tremendous number of hours of practice into a musical instrument because my cousin played it. Do what you really want to do, not what you think will impress others.

I don't come back here that often to the boards, but when I do it is so encouraging to see others of us Stage III'ers who are continuing to do well. Maybe at some point I'll fill out my stats - when I joined I was too freaked out to write them down. Be well and have a joyous 2017.

sbelizabeth

Thanks for the perspective, Outfield. I have many episodes in my own life that I wish now I could have a do-over. No matter what they are, they're in the past and although I can learn from them, I can't change what happened. Best to glean whatever wisdom that can be applied to future circumstances and forgive myself.

What #4 means to me is this--"If only I hadn't been diagnosed with this nasty cancer!" and then spend a lot of mental energy resenting my disease and treatment.

Funny you should say you were too freaked out to write down your stats. When I began browsing around BCO I was too freaked out to even read the stats on other people's posts.

Welcome back to the boards, even if your visit is brief.

SpunkyGirl

Wise words to live by....Amen

hopefour

Thank you selizabeth…that is a wonderful list to live by. Contentment is so important to a life lived with joy, peace and hope. On my most overwhelming days I step back and hand it all over to The Lord…breast cancer is simply to exhausting to carry everyday. So thankful for the fellowship of all you ladies and guys..it helps to lessen the isolating feelings of breast cancer!! May we all stay healthy this year!!

ScotBird

Thank you so much for posting these encouraging words, but what does number 2 actually mean? I get the others, but not that one. Thanks again.

sbelizabeth

Good question, Scotbird. For me, it probably should be number one! It means, "don't imagine yourself in circumstances that aren't real."

It's very tempting for me to allow my mind to drift to dire, imagined scenarios, which leads to grief and totally wrecks my peace. My house burning down. My dog hit by a car. ...Me, dying of breast cancer...

It's completely normal to have fleeting thoughts of such things, of course, but allowing them to mushroom into unnecessary sorrow and heartache is not healthy for my soul.

"You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." Martin Luther (maybe)

ScotBird

Ahhhh, thank you, yes I see! Very good, I shall try hard to remember it. Thanks again!