The #1 Way to Practice Contentment
- Benjamin Concepcion
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
One powerful way to practice contentment is by using the "with and without" approach. It’s a simple yet effective exercise that helps you appreciate what you have in life and understand what truly matters. Here's how it works:
With and without:
With and without that person in your life.
With and without that apartment/home.
With and without that job that provides for you.
With and without that challenge that's pushing you to grow.
With and without that process, it feels slow, but it's helping you improve.
With and without getting everything you think you want.
By mentally adding and subtracting these elements from your life, you can practice recognizing what is enough for you. This practice is key to your journey toward true wealth. Contentment is at the heart of building something meaningful. If we constantly feel like something is missing—if we only see half-empty glasses—then even the smallest joys, like a simple bologna sandwich or an expensive filet mignon dinner, won’t bring satisfaction or joy.
The "with and without" exercise allows us to shift our perspective. It encourages us to focus on what we can make the best of, instead of what we don’t have.
A Shoutout to the Magic Makers
Special shoutout to the parents and communities who turn humble meals into luxury experiences. We see this magic happen at cookouts, where simple dishes transform into grand celebrations. For some families and communities, those cookouts are the real "gala events."
I’d take a homie’s cookout over a fancy, high-status event any day. At a fancy event, I can feel out of place. But at those cookouts? It’s home. Contentment makes me see the magic in the everyday greatness of the spaces I can call home.
Contentment vs. Comparison
Contentment attracts more of what we already have and helps us build upon it. When we compare ourselves to others, we miss the opportunity to fully embrace what’s in front of us. By focusing on what we can do with what we already have, we can grow and enjoy the journey, no matter where we are. Mastering contentment, we can step into any new arena from a place of power, not fear.
