Comments on: Content or Discontent – Which Tent Do You Live In?

By: Joanna Young

Joanna Young — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:58:25 +0000

Rosa, thanks for sharing this article again. Tim, I think I get it now.

By: Talking Story with Say Leadership Coaching

Talking Story with Say Leadership Coaching — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:56:07 +0000

Want Better? Ho‘omau. Adversity makes us stronger.

You have likely heard it said that persistence is often the defining quality between those who fail and those who succeed. I believe it too, and to take it a bit further, I believe that adversity makes us stronger. Adversity

By: Managing with Aloha Coaching

Managing with Aloha Coaching — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:51:38 +0000

Ho‘omau: Reveal the Good, and Make it Last

IF you are a MWAC “regular,” our value for the month of November should prove to be a good complement to the past month’s study of Nānā i ke kumu. In short, we will move from “Source and Truth” to

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 07:40:01 +0000

Tim, a very thought provoking piece. As a Christian I think Paul had his feet in both ‘tents’ (he was a tent maker by trade). He was discontent with being constrained in prision, but had learnt to be content with it as he knew that in all things God ‘worked them out for good’ (Rm 8:28). Thus, being content for the Chrtistian is not simply a quite and resigned acceptance of one’s circumstances, but rather an knowledge that God can and will bring you through no matter what those are. This is the peace that passes all understanding to which Paul and Jesus refered. For non-Christians the key to having feet in both camps is simply this. Be content with what you have but never accept it as being all you will ever have. It may grow or it may decrease. Strive to change yourself for the better before you seek to change others or your circumstances. Always look for the best in all things and in all people no matter how bad it or they may be. Seek to build up and not tear down. Follow the 99 % rule. Find the 1% good in someone and praise them 99% for it. You will find this encouragment is enough to help you and them begin to grow.

By: Take A Bite

Take A Bite — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:32:10 +0000

Organising YOUR day

There’s no question Pink Apple is about relationships. We shriek it, in a rather squeaky, pink voice, from the rooftops! However to show up as a grown up in our relationship, requires self-knowledge and self-development as well. So Pink Apple

By: Chris Owen

Chris Owen — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 22:27:13 +0000

Tim
What a STUNNER of an article.
REALLY got me thinking. I know that contentment flows at times from some elements of my life. But in others the destructive internal voices can wreak havoc on any attempts at contentment.
But the discontent that I know drives my passion and my desire for improvement (and sometimes tumbling into perfectionism) was always a negative but here you’ve put a whole new spin on it.
LOTS of thinking here
A truly excellent post.

By: Greg Balanko-Dickson

Greg Balanko-Dickson — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 22:16:31 +0000

I live in both. I think of them as “neccessity” and possibility”. When I am in the tent of discontent, I am thinking about the neccessity of change. When I am in the tent of content, I am think about what is possible – I agree it is about managing the ‘tension’ between the two.
I also tend to work on different projects in my business depending on which tent I am in…

By: tim

tim — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 15:19:23 +0000

These are terrific comments. As I think about it more on a personal level, I am coming to believe that my discontentedness will be much more effective and well-intentioned if I am grounded in contentedness with myself.
Which reminds me of something…
When I was about 21 I went to see a psychic who told me that I would be broke and disappointed until I turned 40. I asked what would happen when I turned 40? To which the psychic responded, “Well, then you’ll get used to it!”
I’m still thinking about this paradox…

By: John Richardson

John Richardson — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 12:24:42 +0000

Great article Tim. I must say the older I get the more content I get with certain things in my life. That being said, the discontent side is increasing in other areas. I think that is what learning is all about.
When you are passionate about something, discontent with the status quo is always present. You want to be better, go faster, and reach heights never before attained.
I think the main thing to be “content” with is yourself. Realize who you are and what you are all about. Don’t try to be someone else. Then you can be radically discontent with what you are passionate about and go and change the world!
John

By: Rosa Say

Rosa Say — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 03:42:05 +0000

Aloha Tim,
I felt drawn back to your article this evening, for I’ve given more thought to your final questions, and how I might “live in both tents.” Two things immediately come to mind for me, and they are the two things probably most important in my life; my family (especially my children) and my work with the MWA coaching curriculum and project teams.
I’ve arrived at great contentment with both work and family, for there are so many ways I realize I wouldn’t change a single thing, and truly don’t want for more. I absolutely love my life, and count my blessings daily. Even having “little” means having more focus on what’s right and worth my attentions. Yet with both work and family I instinctively and obsessively cannot stop looking for ways to make things better. Cannot stop, and will never stop.
‘Ae, (yes) my two tents have their flaps butted right up to each other so I stay dry with a foot in each when the rain starts to fall!