The Greatest Growth Asset, Contented Discontentment
Dad’s Letters
by Kyle Mast, CFP®
Letters for living life on purpose.
To my sons,
We live in a world that desires the next greatest thing. Whether it’s the newest technological device or a trip to that “magical” destination. We often, myself included, seem to think that the grass will be greener with that next purchase or that next experience.
However, while many things or experiences may positively impact our lives, our attitude toward these things and during these experiences will shape whether or not they benefit us.
Fostering an attitude of contented discontentment is a powerful tool for achieving growth and a fulfilling life.
I am not referring to contentment in the sense that you should be content with your current level of personal growth or service to others. The contentment I am referring to is the ability to recognize the many blessings that you’ve been given and be deeply thankful for them.
However, contentment alone is not enough. Contentment without purpose is deadly, both figuratively and literally. It has been shown that those who “retire” without continued drive or purpose have a much shorter life span.
In order to achieve all that you were put on this earth to do, there needs to be a healthy bit of discontentment with your current situation. The kind of discontentment that excites you and propels you forward toward growth while not allowing you to forget your God-given intrinsic value.
This is not discontentment that creates stress or causes you to believe you are less valuable now than you will be if you can achieve “this” or have “that.” Financial means or achievement usually just magnifies your current character attributes, good or bad.
This reality is especially important to those who achieve financial independence early, which is a wonderful thing, opening up tremendous possibilities for the future. A contented discontentment is crucial to living life to the fullest when you become chiefly responsible for your own growth without a boss, manager, or financial incentive driving you forward.
Being content seems to be an ever-fluctuating state of mind and will be a battle that will never completely be won in this lifetime. However, over time, you can consistently improve at being contently discontented.
In other words,
As you go through life, you can and should build a healthy balance between realizing that you can be content in whatever circumstance while still using the drive of discontentment to improve yourself and the lives of others.
With love,
Dad
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