contentment; (definition); state of being satisfied or the source of satisfaction;

(An example of contentment is being completely happy) 

In today's world (2012) easier said than done...right?   There are millions of people, who have lived beyond their means...and they're paying for it now...everyone has to learn to live within their means. 

To make a long story short, I was a patient at the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 3 1/2 months.  During this time, I lost all my possessions; and I had 28 cents to my name; and I only had the clothes on my back.  When I was discharged, it was to a homeless shelter, and I stood in a soup line for over two months. 

Yes, it was a very depressing time for me, but during that time, I was always greateful that I had something to eat and that I had a roof over my head.  At the age of 60, I could never, ever think that anything like this could happen to me...but it did.  I had to make the best of where I found myself. 

Later, the VA Pension was approved, and I now had money in my pocket.  Social Security was also approved, and I was back to being in decent shape.  These two actions, brought joy and contentment into my life.

I Know What It's Like To Be Homeless;  

Ageism/6 Job Losses Led to My Downfall; 

Homelessness; It Can't Happen To Me;

Wall Street, materialism; keeping up with the Jones' collectables; antiques; jewelry...fancy cars and houses...never entered the picture during this time in my life.  As a matter of fact, none of this has ever entered the picture in my life. 

Keeping Up With the Jones'...Forget It!

Money Is the Root Of all Evil;

 I could only think of the basics in life...food and shelter...nothing else! I had been working for a large engineering company (35,000 employees) when I was laid off (ten years of service) when I was 48 years of age.  The next decade was the worst, in my life, ending up with homelessness and re-building my life at the age of 60!

Jobs Are Moving Out of the Country, STUPID!   

In 2012, I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a one-horse town of about 500,000 population...including the horse.  The city has suffered from job losses as well, just like all over the country.  My father worked and retired from General Electric (building jet engines) and now GE is gone, along with a host of other companies; AOL (call center); Martin-Marrietta; Motorola; Seimens; Digital; Phillips Semiconductors; Trend Technology; Plastech; and others. 

The huge Intel plant is not located in Albuquerque, but over the county line in Rio Rancho.  In the 1980's and 90's, I lived walking distance to Intel.  At its peak, Intel had about over 7,000 employees and in the year 2012, that number is down to 1,800 employees.  I personally don't think Intel will be around much longer!  I think the computer era has run its course as well.  I will not be surprised to see Intel close. 

All my life, I have considered myself to be a realist...on the positive side of life...but with what has happened to me...and throw in a little scandal in the housing market and in Washington and Wall Street...I see more gloom and doom for the young people of this country.   Greed, corruption, scandal will lead the way...

Nobody Can Save America From itself;

Could the Great Society Be Coming To An End?

AMERICA!  The Party's Over! 

The U.S.  Government Is American's Greatest Enemy!

Will Social Secruity Be There For You?

In the future, I see a society of temporary jobs only; no vacation; no pensions; no sick leave; I understand that all the employees at Microsoft are temps...sure they get paid will...but they have nothing else.  I see American's working 2 or 3 temporary jobs to make ends meet.  Pretty ugly sight if you ask me.  But, nobody promised the American worker a rose garden...take what you can get...and quit your whining! 

I read someplace that Bill Gates has made about a dozen trips to India...and I wouldn't doubt it that Microsoft will move its outfit to India some day.  There's not much contentment in this thought, etc. 

Speaking of computers, one of the things that has given me great contentment, is the coming of the Internet...and something called a website.  After waiting for several years, I finally got my website in 2001, and it has brought me joy and contentment ever since.  For people all over the world to see what you can do; your ideas and such is quite amazing. 

Website name; humordoctormd; Over 100 colorful pages; Humor and creativity just seem to go together.

Building My Website...One Brick at a Time;

Making a Difference In People's Life By Writing; Of the 330+ articles in my portfolio, this is my #1 article.  But, how can that be?  It's a piece on the craft of writing...and it's the #1 piece?  That's right, and it gives me great joy and contentment that this is the way it is on my site. 

Halloween Party; The Two-Headed Monster; This is also a #1 piece, having been published on more than 40 websites on the Internet.  Amazing!  I wrote this piece in 1992, before the Computer Age, and it has given me much joy and contentment during all these years, etc. 

Learning to Give Praise 101 For Dummies; I think millions of people in America today, are cynical and negative, with an attitude problem, etc.  That's with the exception of this woman, that this piece is about.  This is a woman who knows how to be positive and give praise.  If the reader goes and reads this piece, most of the words are her own, and she can teach anyone how to be positive and give praise.  You'll come away inspired...

 Articles Published Page;
I began writing seriously at the end of 2006, and during that time, over 100 of my articles have been published on more that 500 websites on the Internat.  That fact will certainly bring contentment into my life, etc.

At the age of 67 in 2012, I may make it through all this unrest in society...but, I think young people have a lot to worry about for their futures.  The worry that none of us are going to make it...is still there!  Every month, I look at my checking account, to see if the Social Security is there...and I show my relief and contentment that it is.  But, one day, the check might not be there...and what to do? How can anyone be content with this environment?

And finally...something that has given me great joy and contentment over the years, are the statistics on my articles here at Authors Den.  Since I've been keeping track in 2011, my articles have been featured in one way or another; the Authors Den Top Ten List; the AD Top 50 List or the AD Featured page;  my low number is 16 articles per week; and my high number is an amazing 82 articles featured in one week.  These numbers have to bring joy and contentment into one's life!  (see link below)

Toot Your Horn With Dignity and Graditude;

In the year 2012, I'm as content as I can be.  You know the old saying, "You don't know what you've got, until you lose it."  And, when I was homeless and when I lost everything, maybe...just maybe...that was a 'blessing in disguise,' as I appreciate life more than ever! 

content; (definition); someone who is satisfied with what they have;

My health has always been the most important priority in my life.  Recently, I got a physical exam. and a blood test (2-12)...and the results were A-okay.  Obviously, I am quite content with the results...

Gift of Life: Become An Organ-Donor; Like it or not, we're all going to die sooner or later.  I feel like I have accomplished many things during my lifetime here on Earth.  After I leave this planet, I will be content, in knowing that I am an organ-donor...and to help someone else live...just as I have lived! 

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Copyright; 2012; Jerry Aragon; The Humor Doctor