More

I saw a special on 60 minutes recently (I feel that I look forward too much to 60 minutes now, but I digress). They did 'tests' on small children to see if they preferred to have more of their own things while having the same as someone else or less of their own things while having more than someone else. The children overwhelmingly selected less for themselves while securing the position of having 'more'.

 It was interesting in the segment how they used a variety of tests to show how we are built with a moral compass at the earliest of ages. And yet, we are also built to compare, to want more than others, even often at the expense of self-interest.

The financial term is 'keeping up with the Joneses.' I teach my kids all the time, that often those that look like they have, in all actuality, rarely have. They borrow money they don't have to buy things they can't afford.

 My kids are also in a similar position quite often when they are faced with a choice of two situations: 1) they don't get anything extra, and no one else does either. or... 2) they don't get anything extra, but someone else does. The second situation really makes them upset, even though they are in the same position in each case. We have problems with being content. It has been a problem throughout history and technology isn't helping. We see what others have right away. We see what they do, where they go, how things look on the outside. This can create huge issues with who we are, what we have and how we think we measure up.

Contentment is ever allusive. We want more. We want what others have and we're often looking for reasons to doubt our identity. I will say this, the photos, the possessions and the experiences don't paint the whole picture of what is really going on or regarding what is most important. Contentment is not an outward facing posture. It certainly involves and reflects gratitude.

May we be fully engaged in what we have both in reality and in our unique opportunities. Be the best you that you can be.