Too many people believe that contentment is the result of the absence of adversity in our lives. They think that if the struggle was eliminated that then they could be happy. And the world is filled by similar "If only..." statements. However, it is precisely because of the existence of the struggles in our lives that we are happy, for without them life loses it's meaning. Happiness cannot be the result of money or material wealth for the happiest of people's in the world are often noted as being the poorest. Materialism and consumerism relies on advertising and social media influencers to highlight that if you only bought their products that you would be happy; but again the happiest of people don't have the internet and don't consume or pursue material wealth and depression is constantly growing in the countries with the greatest levels of consumerism. But time and time again research finds that those people consumed with a meaningful goal find contentment and even joy in the struggle to achieve it regardless of their socio-economic position. It is in the struggle that meaning, joy and happiness is found; not in the accomplishment and not in the acquisition of more things. Do not look to eliminate the struggles in your life, but instead relish in them for that is where meaning and contentment reside.