Contentment doesn’t come from having things.
In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, want more, and be more, contentment often feels out of reach.
However, Hilary Craner believes that contentment isn’t about having it all. Instead, it’s about realizing that you can create contentment right where you are, regardless of life’s circumstances.
Redefining Contentment
Hilary shared her perspective on contentment, emphasizing that it’s about accepting who we are and what we already have. She noted, “Contentment is something that’s available to everyone, no matter your situation, no matter your circumstance.” This acceptance is crucial in a world that often makes us feel like we need to achieve more to be content.
A Christmas Lesson in Contentment
Hilary told an impactful story from a Christmas when her husband lost his job right around Thanksgiving. With three young children and few job prospects, they had to be frugal. She creatively repurposed old toys and sold unnecessary items to buy used toys for her children. Despite the stress, this experience allowed them to focus on the true meaning of Christmas—love, peace, and joy.
On Christmas Eve, Hilary felt a heavy heart, but the next morning, as she watched her children open their used but new-to-them toys, she experienced an overwhelming sense of peace. She described it as a moment of contentment, realizing they didn’t need anything more. This experience shaped her perspective on contentment, teaching her that it could be found in any situation.
Three Practices to Cultivate Contentment
Hilary shared three practices that help her cultivate contentment daily:
1. Gratitude
Hilary believes that a grateful heart is a remedy to many of life’s challenges. She practices gratitude by keeping a journal, noting three things she is grateful for each day. This practice helps her focus on what she has, rather than what she lacks. She said, “There’s still something to be grateful for in every single day.”
2. Service
Serving others is another way Hilary finds contentment. She emphasized that true service goes beyond checking off a to-do list item. It’s about developing and strengthening relationships with neighbors, friends, and family. By focusing on others, she found that she could forget her own troubles and uplift those around her.
3. Faith
Faith plays a central role in Hilary’s journey to contentment. She believes that God hears her prayers and answers them, though not always in the way or timetable she expects. Reflecting on her Christmas experience, she realized that if they had received the temporal things they asked for, they would have missed out on a greater blessing. She concluded that God had something greater in store for them.
Hilary’s insights on contentment remind us that it is not about having everything we want, but about appreciating what we have and finding peace in our current circumstances. By practicing gratitude, serving others, and having faith, we can cultivate contentment in our daily lives.
Find more from Hilary on Instagram, @hilarycraner.
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