Enough
I’ve been struck lately with the idea of [having] enough: enough vaccine, PPE, food, water, clothing, shelter, time, friends, family, money, talent. You name it, we can quantify it and determine if there is enough to go around. Sadly, in many cases around the world there isn’t enough.
But what does enough really mean? The official definition is “as much or as many as required”, but that still begs the question, What is required? For some people or at least as evident by the amount of material things in their possession, required means a whole lot of everything-money, cars, televisions, clothes, real estate. For others it might mean friends, offspring, or extended family or just enough of the basics- food, water, shelter, or good health.
I’ve heard it said that if we approach life with the idea that there is “enough” to go around, we will be more likely to share and to recognize that there is enough for all. We become in tune to what is enough for our own needs and can then be in a position to offer enough to someone else. We start to recognize the extra that we have and how it can be used by someone else. There is a feeling of joy with the gift of sharing.
Paul reminds us that “your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply you need… ‘Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Corinthians 8:14) In some ways, it is the “what goes around, comes around” idea of sharing.
I guess I might be thinking this way as my husband and I have entered another chapter of our lives. The boys are grown, we are hitting our strides in our respective work and we are in a position to reflect and decide where we want to focus our energies, time, talent and resources. There is a joy in feeling that we have “enough” and that we can be in a position to help others so that they may achieve their “enough”.
I have also been struck with the word “enough” and how it can also be used to state fullness or sufficiency as well as reaching a critical mass. During these pandemic times I have heard from many who have had “enough”; enough of the lock down, enough of the hand washing, enough of the isolation, enough of the wishing for better times. Sometimes in this meaning of "having enough”, there is a finality and feeling of despair and lack of hope.
But, there is also the “By golly, I have had enough and am ready to move on…” meaning of “I have had enough.”
So what is our next step? Or do we first need to determine what is enough for ourselves? If we have [had] enough- whether that is fullness, satiation or reached the end of our limits, what do we do next?
I think practicing simplicity helps us determine what is enough with our material items. There are many different ideologies on how to live simply. Overall it is a state of mind that creates space and margins in our lives- physically, emotionally and spiritually. Richard Foster defines it, “an inward reality that manifests in an outward lifestyle”.
I know that in the physical realm, I am revisiting the idea of “enough stuff”. As much as we espoused to voluntary simplicity in our lives and strived to live with that mindset, I am ashamed to say that many things have expanded and accumulated in our household. Once again we are in the process of de-cluttering and freeing up space. It does create a lightness of being. By clearing out, it helps in discerning what is truly necessary, meaningful and beautiful in our lives. It affords us to think in terms of quality not quantity.
Simplicity and the idea of “what is enough” can also be used in our emotional state. I am always amazed at how many things we, as a society, get worked up about. We make things much harder than they seem or need to be. When one really looks at life, it all comes down to simple practices- whether exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, honest relationships, empathy and being grateful.
One thing that seems to be universal with being grateful is focusing on our “haves”- what are the things that we have in our lives? (rather than what we do not have). Seems to me that when I focus on what I do have, I realize that I have enough. More than enough. I do not have to feel competitive for resources for I am satisfied with what I have.
The following is an interesting TED talk about the idea of enough. While I might not totally agree with all that he says, I certainly see his point. He does raise my consciousness about what is enough as I go through my day. Click here to watch.
What about you? Have you had enough? Emotionally? Physically? Mentally? Have you ever been in want? Are you still? Have you ever been in a position to give-away- items, money, resources, time? How did that make you feel?