Finding Contentment in an Internet World
from tfd.com:
con·tent·ment
n.
1. The state of being contented; satisfaction.
2. A source of satisfaction
This is a vast topic, to be sure. I hesitate to dive in without first explaining my utter lack of authority on the subject, especially in regard to practical application. So I won’t be solving the problem in this post. Sorry. The best I can do is bring it to mind
I am not completely void of experience on the subject of contentment. Experience comes, more often than not, directly out of our own missteps. Contentment is a funny thing in the life of a geek. Technology moves at such a rapid clip. Everyday we are presented with new gadgets, new software, new hardware, new online services, new flash-based time-wasters designed to get our attention and hold it until the next updated, new-and-improved version comes out. In every aspect of our lives, this is true, but geeks are among the hardest advertised to [and by 'geeks', I mean to include you too . . . no offense].
And how easy is it to purchase things online these days - right? All too easy, That’s not an entirely bad thing though - I mean, I’m not complaining - I get just about all of my reading material online these days, as well as any computer-related gadget or component I might “need”. The problem comes when you start believing the ad-copy, imagining your life somehow better if only you had this or that next big thing. Any of you have a few things gathering dust in the back of some closet somewhere or maybe in the corner of the garage or utility room? Things that, when you purchased them, you thought, “This is it! This is all I need. I found it! [joy, joy] I finally found it!” Yeah. Me too.
In one sense, I’m lucky. I’m more of a content-creator than a consumer - I think it’s just the way I’m wired. But I still get that gotta-have-it-bug every now and then. So, if you find yourself drooling over some new gadget, just remember that it won’t make you happy. It might be fun, sure, and it might even be a good purchase. But whatever it is. It’s just stuff. And ultimately, stuff won’t make you happy. That’s all I know.
Hey, leave a comment if you’d like. Love to hear your stories of contentment or disappointing purchases!