Most of my adult life I’ve wondered what it means to be content. I used to always be caught up in the future thinking “I’ll be happy when…” “…when I land that job, when I lose 15 lbs., when I go on that trip”. It was a vicious cycle that I couldn’t escape. I chalked it up to being a kid and that I had a lot to accomplish before I could really be happy. Meeting Mark and spending our lives together has taught me that you can be happy no matter what. Happiness is a state of mind not a dollar figure in your bank account or title on your business card. While I’d found true happiness, the feeling of contentedness still eluded me. Honestly, I began to view contentedness as something negative. I saw it as complacency. If I’m content I’m not striving for more in my life. That was up until we purchased our truck camper and started spending a lot more time in the great outdoors.
The other night while sitting beside a warm campfire in the AZ desert, I told Mark I’ve never once experienced contentment until now. This feeling doesn’t exist at home but here (camping) I feel the most clear, the most at peace, the most present. My mind is not intoxicated with ideas of the past and the future. It is here that I can simply be and simply live. And live simply.
When we camp, each day consists of 3 primary tasks. Find a place to camp, feed ourselves and keep ourselves warm. I find a lot of peace in that kind of simplicity and I through that simplicity I find more time to live in the moment.
Surrounding myself by the sun, the moon, the stars, mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes is the only way I’ve ever been able to slow my mind down from its constant chatter. Living among the Great Outdoors, breathing in fresh air, smelling fresh chopped wood burn and appreciating what I have right here and right now – that’s my definition of content.
“If you’re depressed, you’re living in the past. If you’re anxious, you’re living in the future. If you’re at peace, you’re living in the present.” -Lao Zu
What’s your definition of content?
I turned 49 years old today. It was the same as any other day. That is until I read your post. It is good to know that there are others out there are living as I have always wanted to live. Every year goes by hoping that contentment will come. But instead the feeling comes that it will never be. Not for me.
Btw-love the quote.
Your blog inspires me. I also feel most at peace and content in the mountains. Mother nature has a way of slowing us down and provides what we need. It’s wonderful that you’ve learned all this at such a young age and have so much more life to enjoy. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thank you for the great comment Debbie and thanks so much for reading. We hope to share much more inspiration in the future!
[…] I thrive on being disconnected but we can only get away with disconnecting so often and still try to run our business while camping. We tend to seek out the most remote camp sites possible where cell service is nil or non-existent. While our cell booster can’t make something out of nothing, it can definitely boost a worthless signal in to something useable. […]