[Guest Blog by Chinyere Nduu Okoro, a SMART facilitator in Nigeria and a Global Master Trainer for SMART Recovery International]
Contentment is defined as the neurophysiological experiences of satisfaction, and being at ease in one’s situation, body and/or mind.
The emphasis is on satisfaction. The term satisfaction entails that there are still resources on the outside but the container (in this case the human mind) is filled to its content and finds ease therefore. There is more money, fun, euphoria, friends, marriages, success on the outside but the mind is at ease in what it possesses already.
Many people believe that a satisfied or content life is mundane and given to obscurity, mediocrity or lack of ambition. While this can be a subjective belief, it is worthy to note that in fact the happiest and truly successful people have mentioned a satisfied mind to be their fuel for passion, resilience and enduring success. So, far from it! Success does not come from a mind that is bereft of peace and satisfaction, and contentment is in fact a fuel for success rather than an extinguisher of it.
As it relates to addiction recovery, the behaviour that facilitates and characterizes addiction is a consistent drive for MORE! More euphoria, more sedation, more experience, more! This quest for more can drive people to points of physical and psychological dependence and compulsion. The question to be considered is: “What am I craving for and never content with?” For some, it could be fun, association, fame, loyalty, or numbness of pains. This is a limited list, and you can add yours.
It is worthy of note that discontentment cannot be said to be the sole reason for all addictions, and no one can be blamed to have consciously sought to be addicted. However, the essence is to search ourselves for discontentment that could drive us to maladaptive behaviours. It might help to realise that while we are always poised to seek continuous improvements in our lives, the goal is enjoying the life we have currently been given. Contentment says something like this: “I do not have it all yet, I want to improve, but I will not lose sight, be ungrateful, or cease to enjoy what I already have all in a bid for more.”
SMART Applied
Some important SMART Recovery tools that could help one build a life with more contentment are:
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The Define Your Values/Hierarchy of Value tool: Consider all the things you want versus what truly matters to you.
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The Unconditional Acceptances: Could you accurately rate and stay with the realities of yourself, others and life? The power of acceptance brings peace within, which soon reflects outside.
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Lifestyle Balance Wheel: Looking at the sections that make up your life today, would you be happy to roll that wheel out for a play at life happily? You can craft a life that fosters your sense of satisfaction, and satisfaction in turn makes contentment more probable.
Reflective Practice
There are several questions that might be helpful as you take a closer look at your own level of contentment, including:
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What are some sources of discontent that you have discovered in your own life?
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What do you think fuels or heightens this discontentment?
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What relationship does success have with contentment?
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Who do you know as a good example of contentment? What do you learn from their lives?
By combining these questions with the use of the suggested tools (Define Your Values/HOV, The Unconditional Acceptances, and Lifestyle Balance Wheel) you will be well on your way to contentment and ease of mind. Enjoy the journey!
[For more information about Chinyere's work in Nigeria, visit her LinkedIn profile]
SMART Recovery is a science- and evidence-informed program that provides educational and peer support to those who want to abstain and gain independence from all addictive behaviors, whether or not they involve alcohol or drugs. The program emphasizes building motivation and self-empowerment skills, employing strategies to control urges, managing thoughts at the root of addictive behaviors and living a healthy, balanced life. Go to the “Meetings” tab at www.smartrecovery.org to find an in-person or online meeting to attend.