• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Shady Oak Primary School

  • What We Do
    • Connection
    • Communication
    • Collaboration
    • Creativity
    • Critical Thinking
    • Problem Solving
  • Who We Are
    • Teachers
    • Leadership
  • How We Do It
    • Culture
    • Child-centered Learning
    • Participatory Learning
    • Skills-focused Learning
    • Play-based Learning
  • Our School
    • Admissions Overview
    • School Forms
    • Tab Studio
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
    • Podcast
  • Events
  • PTA
AMBITIOUS? CONTENT? OR … BOTH?

AMBITIOUS? CONTENT? OR … BOTH?

AMBITIOUS? CONTENT? OR … BOTH?

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11–12, New International Version of the Bible).

Those words were written nearly 2,000 years ago by St. Paul, who had a mind-numbing résumé in travel, public speaking, organizational management, and scholarship; who had ambitions to achieve even more—and who was at that moment in the rather comfortable but boring (and quite prolonged) situation of living under house arrest, with no certainty on when his case would come to trial or what would happen as a result. If he had been only ambitious to achieve, he would have been a nervous wreck chafing with impatience. 

ShadyOak-St.Paul

If he had been merely content with whatever life threw at him, he would have whiled away his prison years in indolence. Instead, he made good use of his time by continuing his preaching and by writing Philippians and other letters that would become timeless literature.

Paul knew something that is still uncommon common sense: you don’t have to make an either-or choice between being satisfied with your present situation and working to improve on it. Whatever your resources, you really can have it both ways.

Try this quiz to see how well balanced you are, as a person and a parent, between healthy ambition and healthy contentment.

1. On a typical workday, the number of hours until quitting time, and/or the number of days until the weekend, are never far from my mind.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

2. I am more interested in my children’s school grades than in what they actually learned.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

3. I hate to leave a project temporarily unfinished, even for a fifteen-minute break.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

4. I have long-term goals for at least six months ahead.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

5. My first response to a compliment is to point out where I could have done better.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

6. When my children show me something they’ve completed, I immediately point out improvements that could be made.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

7. I let it ruin my whole day if any of my carefully laid plans are spoiled.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

8. Once I’ve secured a job/living situation/relationship, I assume there’s no need to improve on it or move on from it.

Constantly

Usually

Occasionally

Seldom

Never

Best answers: 1. Occasionally  2. Never  3. Seldom  4. Usually  5. Never  6. Never  7. Never  8. Seldom

ShadyOak-Woman-writing

How many of your answers are more than one position removed from the suggested best answer? Are you so obsessed with making progress that you forget to appreciate the good in your current situation? Or are you so comfortable in your current situation that you’re letting good opportunities go to waste?

vinjeta-ispod-naslova

What can you do today toward achieving a healthy life balance between ambition and contentment?

Happy kid enjoying arts and crafts painting with his hands

FIVE SECRETS OF JOYFUL LIVING

By delder | February 19, 2021
The sun is setting on the age of innocence.

FIVE SECRETS OF CONFIDENT LIVING

By delder | February 18, 2021
Disappointed-Parent

DISCONNECT YOUR PANIC BUTTONS

By delder | February 18, 2021
Angry-parent

A PARENT’S GUIDE TO STAYING CALM AMIDST CHAOS

By delder | February 11, 2021
smile

WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN PROMOTE PEACE ON EARTH

By delder | January 2, 2021
Shady Oaks - Sheltered Kid

WHEN THE KIDS ARE HOME, Part 2

By delder | December 28, 2020
Cute preschooler girl has chosen a new lovely dress among a lot of clothes in child fashion store; she is happy. Sale, gifts, Christmas, holidays; beauty concept, place for your brand on tag

8 WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN SPREAD GOODWILL

By delder | December 26, 2020
kids and puppies

WHEN THE KIDS ARE HOME, Part 1

By delder | December 23, 2020
Shady Oak - confident teacher

SOCIAL DISTANCING 201 FOR TEACHERS

By delder | December 20, 2020
shadyoak-parent-homeschooling

SOCIAL DISTANCING 201 FOR PARENTS

By delder | December 16, 2020

Today's affirmation:
"I CARE ENOUGH TO TRANSFORM THE GOOD INTO THE GREAT"

We are located at:
600 Main Street
Richmond, TX 77469
Tel: (281) 344-1291
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 Shady Oak Primary School, All Rights Reserved. • Email • Fine Print

Shady Oak Am I Doing It Right
Shady Oak Children and Families Enjoying Life
Shady Oak Raising Emotionally and Physically Healthy Children
Shady Oak Raising Positive Confident and Effective Children
Shady Oak Raising Your Children to Be Responsible
Shady Oak Success Strategies for Teachers