contentment...chrissy.s answer!

{me. content. oregon coast. fall 2009}

so i was asked to speak at a women.s conference in may about

contentment.

(yep. that.s why all the questions)

i laughed out loud at the poor soul they sent over to my home to ask me.

contentment?  me?  are you serious?

(they were!)

i have to say that i feel like i am virtually surrounded 

by so many amazing. beautiful. busy. contented women right now.

you might say, like i did...

contented? me? are you serious?

and i am!

...because here is my answer to all of you about...

contentment is...

to me, contentment is a peace within.

i love this definition of 

p e a c e

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work.  it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

you women that encircle me are 

sweethearts. mothers. daughters. grandmas. aunts. sisters.

you.ve lost loved ones. children. parents. grandparents. friends. pets.

you nurse and you counsel and you carpool and you blow bubbles.

you create.  art.  homes.  families.  careers.  memories.

you provide the necessities for your home.

some of you are the home.

you laugh and you cry.  you teach and you lift. 

you pick up off the floor again and again and again.

blocks and bodies and lonely friends and aching hearts.

sometimes the broken heart is your own.

the laundry is never done.

the dishes will always have crumbs...(thankfully!)

your shoulders will always need to be strong for leaning.

there will always be a blank canvas to cover.

there will always be 

noise. trouble. hard work. heartache. 

and yet...

i see you and in the marrow of all that chaos that swirls about you.

you

are

at

peace.

contentment is a journey!

i am amazed and blessed to be encompassed by you women

 who are trying your best each day and encouraging each other

 to stay in the race.

(huge contented hugs to all of you!)