This Read Will Make You Happier Than Your Entire Feed

The Art of Contentment: Finding Joy in the Simple Moments

Author

Ark
May 28, 2025

I catch myself doing it too—scroll, scroll, scroll. As a doctor, let me tell you: this isn’t just wasting your time; it’s stealing your life, one swipe at a time. Today, I want to talk about something simple yet profound: contentment. If we’re meeting for the first time, I’m Seth Kart, an ER doctor and former Special Operations medic. But right now, I’m just someone who’s noticed something about contentment that might save you from another hour of mindless scrolling.

The Simplicity of Contentment

Contentment is simple, but it’s not easy. We’ve complicated our lives, filling them with so much stuff that we’re trapped in a cycle of wanting more. We scroll for the next dopamine hit or wait for the next Amazon Prime package, forgetting the gifts all around us—if only we’d look up. Contentment lives in the stillness of crisp morning air, the warmth of a coffee cup in your hand, or the sound of birds chirping. It’s in the simple, the slow.

After my first deployment to Iraq, everything seemed sweeter. Flowers were brighter, jokes were funnier, and a baby’s laugh could bring tears to my eyes. When you’ve had everything stripped away, leaving only desolation and chaos, contentment becomes easier to grasp. But society creeps back in, clouding our vision. So here I am, reminding myself—and now you—that happiness and contentment are already within you and all around you, if only you’d look.

Four Pillars of Contentment

In the ER, I’ve learned that systems drive action. Here are four pillars that, at least for me, create genuine contentment:

  1. Build Your Mind
    Without your mind, you cease to exist. Nourish it with inputs that promote growth, happiness, and contentment. In a world that overstimulates and demands your attention, give your brain rest. Sit in nature, observe your surroundings in silence, meditate, read, create, learn, laugh, and challenge yourself. Be in this moment.

  2. Build Your Body
    Movement is key to feeling good and staying healthy. No amount of money or possessions matters if you’re stuck in a hospital bed. Eat clean, move your body, and reconnect with nature—feel the sun on your skin and in your eyes.

  3. Build Your Relationships
    We no longer live in tribes, so we must be intentional about our connections. When you find good relationships, hold onto them and nurture them. If you think of someone, call them. When you’re with someone, be fully present in that moment.

  4. Build Your Skills
    The pursuit of purpose drives longevity and happiness. Without purpose, life feels directionless. Find your purpose, learn new skills, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. These are your goals and dreams. Celebrate your accomplishments and forgive your failures.

A Moment of Presence

Close your eyes for a moment. Think of one thing that makes you smile—it could be anything, the smaller the better. Be present in that moment, live in it, and let yourself feel without any other concern. Now open your eyes. Look around at your surroundings. Find something simple and really look at it. Notice its color, shape, material, or movement. Welcome to the present. Welcome to true appreciation.

A Lesson from Diogenes

There’s a story I love about Diogenes, a Greek philosopher who lived simply in a barrel with only the bare essentials. One day, Alexander the Great, fascinated by Diogenes’ rejection of material wealth, visited him and said, “Ask me for anything, and I’ll give it to you.” Diogenes looked up and replied, “Move out of my sunlight.” Surprised, Alexander remarked, “If I were not Alexander, I would wish to be Diogenes.” To which Diogenes responded, “If I were not Diogenes, I would still wish to be Diogenes.”

True contentment doesn’t come from having it all—it comes from needing nothing more than what you already have.

Embrace the Present

Our lives are chaotic, filled with too much stuff. In the end, none of it matters—we can’t take it with us when we go. But we can choose to be happy and content while we’re here. I’m not suggesting you live in a barrel, but maybe take a moment to realize how good you already have it. Sit and watch the world go by. In the ER, I’ve learned that life is precious and, too often, surprisingly short. Don’t spend it all scrolling.

The real world, with all its mundane, boring, and beautiful moments, is waiting for you. At its core, contentment is simple. It’s not in the next Amazon package or the next scroll. It’s right here, in this moment, in the simple act of being able to breathe. Put down your phone. Look up. The world is more amazing than any feed you’ll ever scroll through.

#Innovation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Career #Networking #Business #Motivation #FutureOfWork

From Rent to Freedom: How to Build Your Tiny Home & Live Off-Grid, Paperback, Large Print, March 14, 2025

Looking for the perfect gifts or a little something special for yourself this season? Discover amazing products that will make your holidays unforgettable! Click here to explore now!

Your Closet Might Be Holding You Back—Fix It Now, Hardcover, Large Print, March 13, 2025

Affiliate Disclaimer:
This article may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe will add value to your holiday season. Your support helps me continue to create helpful content—thank you!