The Difference Between Laziness and Contentment

Laziness, as defined by Google Dictionary is “the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy; idleness.”

Contentment, as defined by the same source, is “a state of happiness and satisfaction.”

Why is it that, in my mind, I put these two sentiments at opposite ends of the same spectrum? I’ve been inclined to for quite a while. Does it even make sense?

I think it makes a lot of sense.

The gap, then, between being lazy and feeling content is work.

Because, in order to feel happy or satisfied, you must do something. You must try something. Contentment is not something that simply lands in your lap or bubbles up from your toes, without taking footsteps — metaphorical or literal.

Some words I find synonymous with lazy are:

• careless
• unwilling
• mindless
• uninspired
• cowardly

The last synonym may come across as harsh, but that is what it is: you feel like you need to do something, yet the fear is larger than the desire to get it done.

Some words I find synonymous with content are:

• expressed
• bold
• tested
• emptied
• pleased by one’s level of progress

To me, feeling content is knowing that I felt the fear and uncertainty and did it anyways, at a level hard enough to feel deserving of resting my head on my pillow at night. Often times, the courage to move into that gap is precipitated by a purpose larger than the fear. Knowing that, even if I don’t nail my goal that day, I nailed the larger intention: doing it despite feeling unwilling.