Article November 20, 1937 Issue

Contentment

GLADYS C. GIRARD

To many a weary one there have been times when contentment has seemed to hinge upon persons, surroundings, or other material objects or conditions. There is to be found, however, through the diligent study and application of Christian Science, as set forth in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, a higher understanding of the source of this much-sought-after state of thought. On page 465 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy defines God as "incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love;" and on the same page she states that "the attributes of God are justice, mercy, wisdom, goodness, and so on."

To one to whom the sense of contentment seemed very dim, came a gradually widening vision through the right understanding of this very desirable and necessary constituent of happiness. It became clear to this student's thought that contentment could very properly be regarded as a quality of Mind. Reason then gradually showed that since contentment is most assuredly a fixed quality of Mind, and therefore reflected by man, it can be brought to bear upon human circumstances and conditions, but is not an outgrowth of such conditions. With reverent pondering, this angelic message grew and was magnified in the student's thought, until it became vividly clear to her that contentment, as a quality of Mind, is always full, sufficient, never fluctuating, never dependent upon person, location, or circumstance.

Oftentimes one hears the remark, "If I could only be in such and such a place," or, "If I could just have such and such a thing, I would be perfectly contented." Experience and understanding, however, penetrate this ruse of mortal mind and reveal the fact that mortal mind and things material are but phantom fancies, which do not result in genuine contentment, but lead on through the "broad gate" into the "wide way" of self-seeking and sensuous living.

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