There is a temptation to discount the idea of contentment in favour of progress, as if they are somehow opposites. I would like to suggest that we need both of these things to feel fulfilled in our lives. The mistake that some make is believing that the acquiring of money and expensive things shows the world that they have progressed, but these shallow achievements will not bring happiness.
If the goal of progressing is to have more things and be more rich, then this will move us further away from contentment, because things and money do not last. Putting our hopes for happiness into these things takes control of our happiness and gives it to things which are out of our control. Things break and money is spent and gone as a result.
However, if our progress is rooted in our self development, in our ability to be better at the things we feel passionate about. If we acquire more knowledge and skills to do more and help more people, then our progress will be closely aligned with our contentment, as long as we are content with how we live our lives. The relationships, the opportunities and the necessities. If we can manage to be both content and to progress then we will live deeply and live well.
– Fullfilment Project
The Fullfilment Project 