Times are tough. The cost of living has just sky-rocketed and everyone is complaining about how things have just become so expensive.
I was saddened to see a guy at the shop counting cents and unable to buy bread because he didn't have enough money.
Let's be real, in these trying economic conditions survival is hard for many.
With this in mind, I am appealing to those who can afford everything they need to be mindful of their spending.
Perhaps this is the time we can all start to look out for those who are truly battling and help.
High levels of debt are not helping when it is like this. I am, however, convinced that most debt problems are caused by people being dissatisfied with the lifestyle provided by their level of income.
At a certain time in their lives, they decide to take a "social leap" by buying a bigger and better cellphone or car that they cannot afford, getting into a business they cannot support or buying other expensive items they cannot afford to pay for at their current level of income.
Some of those in debt do not like the word contentment. They often confuse it with complacency. There is a difference. Both words describe a state of being.
Complacency tends to refer to someone who may be lazy, but contentment is about someone who has learned to happily accept his or her present social status, whether the person is making R50000, R5000 or R1500 a month.
I know some people might have trouble activating this attitude in their lives. Here is how you can start to be content with your status.
l Be thankful for the basics. Food, shelter, family, friends, a job are all that's truly needed. Be thankful that you have access to clean water on tap without travelling 2km to fetch it.
What about electricity? It's also a blessing as it makes our lives easier.
I'm sure you get the idea. You should categorise each aspect of your life, break it down into finer detail and be thankful for it.
In this way, you are counting your blessings and naming them one by one. You will indeed be amazed at how much you have.
l Look at what you have. Realise there are many people who lack basic needs. Make a list of the things past and present in your life to reassure you and you will see how you are truly blessed.
l Take time to be alone. Having a good warm bath, spending time listening to your favourite music or just lying on the couch and watching a good movie or reading a good book are good examples of quality time for yourself.
Those are the times that you do not need to spend money but it is a way of enjoying the gift of time.
l Learn to love and respect yourself. This is an important factor if you are to sustain the contentment in your life.
Start the process of knowing who you are - define what makes you happy. Accept your flaws and understand that you are not perfect.
l Choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice. Some people gauge happiness by having a successful career, luxurious car or a huge savings account.
Happiness cannot be determined by the money you earn or even with material things. It is a choice that we are happy, despite what life may bring.
Practise being content - you will be amazed how happy you will be when you focus on helping others. Thedream@winniekunene.co.za
Learn to be content with your situation
Times are tough. The cost of living has just sky-rocketed and everyone is complaining about how things have just become so expensive.
I was saddened to see a guy at the shop counting cents and unable to buy bread because he didn't have enough money.
Let's be real, in these trying economic conditions survival is hard for many.
With this in mind, I am appealing to those who can afford everything they need to be mindful of their spending.
Perhaps this is the time we can all start to look out for those who are truly battling and help.
High levels of debt are not helping when it is like this. I am, however, convinced that most debt problems are caused by people being dissatisfied with the lifestyle provided by their level of income.
At a certain time in their lives, they decide to take a "social leap" by buying a bigger and better cellphone or car that they cannot afford, getting into a business they cannot support or buying other expensive items they cannot afford to pay for at their current level of income.
Some of those in debt do not like the word contentment. They often confuse it with complacency. There is a difference. Both words describe a state of being.
Complacency tends to refer to someone who may be lazy, but contentment is about someone who has learned to happily accept his or her present social status, whether the person is making R50000, R5000 or R1500 a month.
I know some people might have trouble activating this attitude in their lives. Here is how you can start to be content with your status.
l Be thankful for the basics. Food, shelter, family, friends, a job are all that's truly needed. Be thankful that you have access to clean water on tap without travelling 2km to fetch it.
What about electricity? It's also a blessing as it makes our lives easier.
I'm sure you get the idea. You should categorise each aspect of your life, break it down into finer detail and be thankful for it.
In this way, you are counting your blessings and naming them one by one. You will indeed be amazed at how much you have.
l Look at what you have. Realise there are many people who lack basic needs. Make a list of the things past and present in your life to reassure you and you will see how you are truly blessed.
l Take time to be alone. Having a good warm bath, spending time listening to your favourite music or just lying on the couch and watching a good movie or reading a good book are good examples of quality time for yourself.
Those are the times that you do not need to spend money but it is a way of enjoying the gift of time.
l Learn to love and respect yourself. This is an important factor if you are to sustain the contentment in your life.
Start the process of knowing who you are - define what makes you happy. Accept your flaws and understand that you are not perfect.
l Choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice. Some people gauge happiness by having a successful career, luxurious car or a huge savings account.
Happiness cannot be determined by the money you earn or even with material things. It is a choice that we are happy, despite what life may bring.
Practise being content - you will be amazed how happy you will be when you focus on helping others. Thedream@winniekunene.co.za
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