That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi you had for lunch. It's your soul trying to give you a nudge to do something. A word for that feeling is "discontent." Discontent is a state of not being satisfied or fulfilled in your current situation.
Of course, this same feeling can apply to a hundred different situations, from a work-related issue to a personal issue at home. But, the resulting meaning is still the same: "make a change." Some people listen to that feeling and change their life in such a way as to eliminate that feeling. However, some people that fall into discontent, but tend to remain in that situation as they find it a place of "same-ness" and "safety."
--- Souler Greenhouse ---
Discontent is actually a "souler greenhouse" of change. It is the first warnings you receive that things are not what they should be and that a change is required to correct the situation. Discontent comes when there is juxtaposition between needs and desires. Usually, you're pursuing a need, achieve it, and then continue to pursue the ideals of the same need. This occurs because you don't know what to do once you reach the objective. However, once you achieve a need, you need to move on to the next pursuit.
Many people find that discontent for a given situation is acceptable. For instance, discontent with your work might feel acceptable because you have to make money and care for your family. In this way, you learn to overcome the discontent by accepting the obligations. However, while this may work, it is not necessarily the route to take. Indeed, you might need the job, but this feeling is calling for an evaluation as some aspect of the situation needs attention.
Discontent can provide you with either a reason to stay right where you are or a fertile environment from which to move forward. While it does provide a way for the Universe to bring attention to a situation, we sometimes become so accustomed to the feeling that it becomes part of our life. In such a case, if we adapt and the discontented feeling is resolved, we will miss it.
--- Growth ---
Growth from discontent is an amazing change. Again, comparing to the greenhouse, it can either smother you, or help you grow. However, change from discontent is something that you have to execute consciously, because discontent can also provide you with a safety zone. By accepting discontent in one part of your life, it can spread into other areas of your life. You can become satisfied with the feeling because it becomes familiar. However, you end up working on parts of your life in hopes of resolving the feeling when you find that, once that part of your life has changed, you still feel the same.
Growth occurs because you feel a push, or pull, to move in a direction. The objective is to obtain a balance such that the discontent disappears. Once you achieve the necessary change, you will be able to leave the discontented feelings behind you. Focus on the situation that makes you feel the discontent, not on other issues that may, or may not, make you feel better. The contented feeling from "doing busy work" or fixing something that isn't broken is fleeting, unless you tackle the core issue.
The growth comes in once you embrace the change. When you move from an area of the familiar, you must learn something new or different to adapt to the unfamiliar. However, in this transition, you are putting your life back in balance and moving forward, which eliminates those feelings of discontent.
--- What's next? ---
Don't let discontent drag you down! Listen to your gut! It will always tell you when change is necessary. It might be a simple gnawing feeling or a twisted knot. In either case, be honest with yourself and trust that feeling. Discontent is the universe's way of telling you that a change is necessary within yourself to resolve the situation. It is there to warn you of situations and guide you when things need to change.
To make the change, you have to know where you are and where you want to be in the near future. However, the one thing to keep in mind is that you want to achieve some type of balance to counter the discontent. Remember that discontent is caused from an imbalance in one or more parts of your life. Ask yourself, and focus on, what it is that is causing you the most concern. Once you are able to determine the issue, only then can you set out on a goal that satisfies the feeling. Such an approach will not only restore balance, but it will also allow you to move forward to a more fulfilling life.
About The Author
Edward B. Toupin is an author, life-strategy coach, counselor, and technical writer living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books and articles on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. For more information, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his sites at etoupin@toupin.com or etoupin@toupin.com.
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..Just 2 nights ago my partner and I were watching... Read More
Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More
Whether it's the other kids making fun of you at... Read More
Many people don't really understand the gift they have been... Read More
Last time we talked about how to begin building the... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever... Read More
Who are you?We all know that we are composed of... Read More
Looking for a bit more mindfulness in your daily life?... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
Year after year I find more and more individuals saying... Read More
Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
"If I have the belief that I can do it,... Read More
Near the end of December 2004, I received an email... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,... Read More
? Make a list of all your accomplishments in life... Read More
All the problems that any individual has in their lives... Read More
"Work on your career and you'll make a living. Work... Read More
Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
Heard of a raindance? It is a ritual used by... Read More
The way to define your personality is to refine your... Read More
Barry was on the phone in his office, speaking with... Read More
"Those people who think they can do something and those... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
One of the biggest potential problems we face with every... Read More
The one thing that is absolutely vital to overcoming shyness... Read More
In his all-time bestselling record The Strangest Secret, author Earl... Read More
Every emotion, wether we classify it as good or bad,... Read More
The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More
From Making the Big Move: how to transform relocation into... Read More
Bernard always had a problem with money.He was always lacking... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More
In many ways the Star War movies are simply a... Read More
I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More
Positive Affirmations are things we say to ourselves that build... Read More
Gratitude is one of the most important things you can... Read More
This week I happened to catch a few minutes of... Read More
Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After... Read More
"You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine You Make Me... Read More
How many times have you heard someone say, "Hey, cheer... Read More
It's time to put a bad rumor to rest right... Read More
The invisible force surrounded him, squeezing tightly around his chest.... Read More
Emotions have the tendency to take over our actions and... Read More
Many of the books on this page were inspired by... Read More
Who are you?We all know that we are composed of... Read More
There are very many methods for achieving improvement to our... Read More
Often when radical change occurs in our lives we feel... Read More
So, do you love yourself?Shouldn't really be a difficult question... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |