Contentment

I was thinking about contentment and happiness just before and I do think they are different things.  I looked up the meaning of both as is often the case I did like the first paragraph of what I read in Wikipedia.   Though I was not so keen on another that said the definition was “the state of being content.”  Like that tells me heaps - NOT
Wikipedia said, “Contentment is … a state of being or emotion in which one is satisfied with their current life situation, and the state of affairs in one's life as they presently are. If one is content, they are at inner peace with their situation and how the elements in one's life are situated. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be content with one's life regardless of the circumstance, regardless of whether things are going as one expected or not.
I particularly like the last sentence which says, “Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be content with one's life regardless of the circumstance, regardless of whether things are going as one expected or not.”
To me that sorta sums up contentment for me.  I reckon I can be content without necessarily displaying the classic attributes of happiness.  A classic and extreme example for me is if a mate dies.  I am not happy.  I miss friends.  Yet I can know contentment I reckon.  Knowing where they are, knowing this is so long rather than good bye.  I am sad they are no longer with me, but content that all is well.
I very much feel the same in seemingly less extreme cases. I may not be thrilled who I work with, or glad about a loved one’s current situation, yet I am content.  It is based on the same premise.  Things beyond my control are in control.  What may appear as chaos to me, is part of a bigger picture, and because I have read the book, I know it all works out in the end.
That is really important to me.  Contentment is not based on external impulses but internal…well, contentment.