CONTENTMENT; The key to true happinesss by Olabanji Joel

In times like this, I think it is best we remind one another what "contentment" really means. Simply, I believe contentment is being satisfied with what one has at every particular time, either be it little or in large amount. The pressure of making it big keeps increasing in the world today and a major factor is due to the influence of social media with several people flaunting wealth considered either pure or illegal. The pressure to make it big, live large and roll with top personalities has increasingly become dominant in our society with many losing their virtue. Do not misinterpret me, I am not saying youths should not be industrious neither am I saying we should be complacent but for them not to lose their conscience and heart while hustling for this money. 

According to the renowned Indian philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna, 'Contentment is the greatest form of wealth'. In support of this quote, I am always of the opinion of that irrespective of what a man has, he will never have enough unless he is deliberately contented. While growing up, my parents taught us to be satisfied with the little they were giving us, they also displayed this in their personal lives which made people think my parents were rich. I could remember some years back when someone living around our house heard we were looking for a place to buy "garri" and the individual asked "if we also take garri in our house" and this was what we were used to having as lunch almost everyday with groundnut or kulikuli. Over time I have realized how wealthy my parents are, not because they have/had millions in their account but because they have always been contented with the little they have and also put in more work to have more so as to be able to live a comfortable life.

"Contentment doesn't mean pretense or living in falsehood, it simply means living in abundance with the little one has. It is satisfaction"- Olabanji Joel. 

This quote is born out of the understanding that we can never have enough until one choose to agree within oneself that they are doing well, can do better legally and also maximize the little they have to achieve greater things.

A celebrity was arrested in 2020 at a place where he was probably living the life of his dream with money gotten from swindling others of their hard-earned money. Another individual who projected himself as a young investor but his major way of making money was exposed after he was arrested for scamming people of several millions of dollars. Again recently, Millionaire young man was arrested by the Nigerian police force after he was traced from one state to another and exposed to be a kidnapper. These youths and many more are those who make money illegally and flaunt it all over the place. Sadly, they have been celebrated by many persons and are even role models to many until their criminal activities were exposed. There are many people making money from illegal businesses, money rituals among others still walking freely in the country oppressing those who are legitimately working and making them feel like they are not doing enough. Surely, they will meet their Waterloo someday and will definitely be disgraced.

Making emphasis on money and its importance to thriving, I have come to an understanding that it is essential for existence. Therefore, striving to get wealth is not disgraceful, working legitimately (thieves, Kidnappers, bandits, Fraudsters and Ritualists also work hard but illegally) is not bad at all but if it gets to a point of hurting others, then humanity and reason for our existence is lost. I am not in support of anyone becoming complacent neither am I encouraging stagnancy, lukewarmness or laziness but "CONTENTMENT" is the greatest wealth, source of true and lasting happiness.

I understand things might be difficult, the nurturing might have a foundational problem, the environment might have a negative impact on your business or you might have made mistakes which might be affecting your financial status today. Furthermore, your friends might have made it big already either through the right or dubious way, you might even be feeling forgotten but make sure you keep working and praying, keep pushing, be contended with the little you have, plan and spend wisely and definitely you will one day make a headway. CONTENTMENT IS THE KEY TO TRUE HAPPINESS

Olabanji Joel

A Nurse and a Writer 

Edited by

Abimbola (My wife)