Contentment

In a consumer based world, the success of the economy is based on those consumers buying more and more.  The money then goes back into the economy and gets turned over and over as it filters through the rest of the economy.  The last recession/depression we went through was largely based on consumers opting out of buying because they were concerned about having enough income to pay the bills etc.  That 'break in confidence' caused the market to slow down and ultimately collapse.  That is how capitalism works and it has been pretty successful for a long time.

The problem with it from a spiritual basis is that it is foundationally a 'greed and envy' based program.  I want to have what my neighbors have. Advertising has captured the thought by telling us that we can’t be happy without the latest car, clothes, toothpaste, or vacation destination and we believe that.  We go to great lengths to consume whether we have the resources to do that or not.  We use our 18% interest rate credit cards, where we pay the minimum balance and which continue to grow at rates far faster than we can handle them.  The old adage ‘my expenses ALWAYS equal or exceed my income’ is leading many to bankruptcy, foreclosure and a great deal of financial pain.

          The remedy to all this is the Ignatian concept of contentment.  It’s being satisfied with what you have and where you are.  It is not being swayed by the world telling you that you aren’t happy. It is about being in a place where you can accept where you are, not in a fatalistic sense, but in a way that allows for God’s work in and around you.  My desire is to be content and to avoid those situations that try to play to my greed, envy and avarice, especially during this Christmas season.