What Is Contentment?

In the ancient world, the 12 months of the year were associated with animals, gemstones, flowers, and more. It was a way for them to make sense of their relationship with the cosmos—the macro to their micro existence. Fast forward to the early 20th century, and associations evolved even further through the insights of Rudolf Steiner, who described these traits as virtues or “soul qualities.”

In the same way that a particular birthstone corresponds to the month we were born, a “soul quality” is a capacity that may hold significance to our transformation to a higher vibration. For example, the soul quality in October is “Contentment.” Cultivating this quality will support your relationships, career, and health on all levels and deepen your connection to the spiritual world, where these qualities come from.

Just as we are unique in our individualities and life journeys, “contentment” will mean something different to each person. We can choose to step back and take an objective look at what this word means, coming back to it later to see if something has shifted in our relationship with it. Sometimes a comment will trigger us, and it can take time to understand why. These qualities have a way of revealing themselves once you invite them in and will reach you in ways that are particular and unique to your individuality. It is a bit like meeting a new friend. It takes time to get to know them, and how intimately you wish to be is entirely up to you!

Etymonline.com tells us that the word origin of contentment is mid-15th century Old French, coming from “satisfactory payment.” Do you feel a sense of contentment after having “paid something forth”? Does contentment perhaps arise in you after offering something of yourself to a loved one or the world? Etymology can be an exciting door to building a relationship with your soul-quality word.

Etymonline.com also describes contentment as: “That happiness which consists in being satisfied with present conditions.” It also says, “Contentment is passive. It is the feeling of one who does not needlessly pine after what is beyond his/her reach nor frets at the hardship of his/her condition”. Contentment seems to imply acceptance, which many schools of inner work see as the starting point from which we can create our desired lives.