Lanterns - A Poem

Class
Stops
As we
Switch off lights
To see
The balls of
Lit
Balloons

Like inflated
Fireflies
Floating in
The inky
Indigo sky

Swinging
And swaying
On invisible liquid
Towards the surface
Of the earth

Capturing our
Attention
Away from
Attempted
Intelligent discussion
On to
Art.

My Definition of Contentment

We all have an idea of what contentment means (i.e. to be satisfied). But if I am to write an entire year of blog posts on this topic, I need to make my very own definition that fits my being.

So, to me contentment is a stubborn gladness that one carries in one's spirit all through the day, no matter what the circumstances. It is less about the external world and more about one's internal landscape. Contentment is sunshine and water and daily maintenance to one's inner plant. 

Perhaps after years of taking care of this plant, it would become a banyan tree that will be what one's entire life could hang on?

Note - 'Stubborn gladness' is a term I first heard from Elizabeth Gilbert (Author). She in tern got it from Jack Gilbert (Poet). 

A Very Random Start to a Year Long Project

I would like to write about why I started this blog. I initially wanted to start a project called 'A Year of Aliveness' - because I was craving that spark in my everyday life. As I went along trying to make that happen, I realized it made me more anxious and unhappy. It didn't make sense that such a beautiful project would give me so much to feel 'bleh' about. Of course, aliveness means adventure and creativity and being daring - but something wasn't clicking.

During this time, I realized something was more important for me right now - which is to be content. What does that mean? Simply put, it means being satisfied on a day to day basis - with all it's ups and downs and mundane activities. Most of life is just that - repeated activities, seeing the same people, doing the same to-do list - chipping away at life. If life is to be 'chipped' away at, I would like the chipping to be fulfilling. My quest for aliveness was too demanding for me. Contentedness seems more bland a concept, yet it serves as a platform for all other exciting things to be balanced on.

The idea is to write something everyday that made my day content. An experience that I have, a glimmer of hope I hold on to, an idea I flirt with, a fantasy I indulge in. I also want to post research that has been done on the subject of contentedness.

In my life I have been a lot of things - but this year, starting from a random date and time, I want to formalize my quest for contentedness (read: peace). This blog will make sure I stay on track on my agenda and perhaps, understand a little more about this concept (and live it!) before moving on to aliveness.

Onward!