Enough for me is paying for my home, bills and taxes, food and other necessities, with sufficient funds for inevitable emergencies involving pets, teeth, wheels and home repairs. And ‘enough’ left for modest outings – coffee or a glass of wine with friends, a new book, a secondhand bargain!
And I do feel so grateful to have enough for all this, when so many don’t.
To me it is about what is essential for human needs. Certain material possessions bring you temporary joy and become an egotistical need in my opinion. Rather I prefer to focus on giving back to those in need & continue learning and trying to become the best version of myself .
This question may have come up before. I started notes for a blog post I plan to write eventually on this question and related topics. The list I started:
– Distinguishing between wants and needs to be clear about why I’m acquiring something.
– Clicking unsubscribe at the bottom of unrequested emails trying to sell me things.
– Texting STOP in reply to yet another request for funds. (I still donate but on my own schedule, not when someone tries to interrupt my life.)
– Eating mindfully so I notice and appreciate textures and flavors.
– Recognizing when I’ve worked intensely for a long stretch and need to take a walk around the block.
– Being honest with myself about whether I will use or wear something and putting it up on the neighborhood Buy Nothing group to set it free for someone else to enjoy.
– Setting down my phone.
– Not rushing
For the moment being, awareness arises of enough of having stressed dear ones far too much in going far too much over the limits without having been aware of it, which may cease now. Grateful for this insight, and deeply grateful for having been allowed to experience such unconditional friendhip and support nevertheless.
Whenever I purchase something I let something else go, by donating it. That way I keep our home neat and (mostly) clutter free. I have enough of everything I need.
For me it means more shelves and closets that are empty or barely full, not many duplicates, if I haven’t used it in a bit do I need it.
As many mentioned, I want to increase virtues on my spiritual path.
For me, enough means that my basic
material needs are being met.
And then there are the intangible things
like love, connection, kindness, and purpose.
These things are a bit harder to come by
and they require a different kind of effort.
I have never understood how people can
dedicate there lives to acquiring more and
more wealth. Trying to fill in for those
intangible things with a substance. I think
of so much of this as distraction.
Distraction from those intangible things
that we are lacking. I certainly have been
guilty of this.
Humans are strange. 😁
Amen to the last remark. Albert Einstein is purported to have said, “I know of only two things that are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I’m not always sure about the universe.”
My basic needs are met, and I feel safe emotionally and physically.
Came across this quote on another site this morning that really speaks to me and seems apropos to today’s question:
In a consumer society, contentment is a radical proposition.
Recognizing abundance rather than scarcity undermines an economy that thrives by creating unmet desires.
Gratitude cultivates an ethic of fullness.
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, “Braiding Sweetgrass”
Thank you Laura! My most favorite book, Braiding Sweetgrass”. Powerful writting, lots to think about as we move around in this world of ours. Contentment is a radical proposition indeed.
When I consider what “enough” means to me, it brings me back to the state of gratitude for what is. Gratitude for the time I have, gratitude for the friends I have, gratitude for enough money to take care of business, and on it could go.
Enough is also a sensory experience for me. My being senses what is enough. My body tells me when it has had enough food, enough rest, enough movement. My mind and heart tell me when I have had enough worldly stimulation and I need to be quiet. I have not thought of responding to “enough” as a sensory experience so specifically before. I will continue to notice my awareness in this way.
One of the many things I appreciate about these questions and each of you is I often think of ideas in ways I have not previously. The wisdom and life experiences here are interesting and provocative. Thank you.
Argh—this is defintely an area of spiritual development I’d like to become settled in. By the way, I tried to avoid using the word “more” in my leader. I have inclined towards some insatiability. As we all know our culture tells us we never have enough and we never are enough. Without this hungry ghost mentality there would be no capitalism. I notice the quest for acquisition is subtle, too. For example, do I need another retreat, training, or ceritfication? Why do I believe there is something outside that will finally be “it.” There is so much involved with these behavior: feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and greed. I am glad to start my day contemplating this question. Today, I’ll see where there are opportunities to ask myself, “do I really want this?”
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
Enough for me is paying for my home, bills and taxes, food and other necessities, with sufficient funds for inevitable emergencies involving pets, teeth, wheels and home repairs. And ‘enough’ left for modest outings – coffee or a glass of wine with friends, a new book, a secondhand bargain!
And I do feel so grateful to have enough for all this, when so many don’t.
To me it is about what is essential for human needs. Certain material possessions bring you temporary joy and become an egotistical need in my opinion. Rather I prefer to focus on giving back to those in need & continue learning and trying to become the best version of myself .
This question may have come up before. I started notes for a blog post I plan to write eventually on this question and related topics. The list I started:
– Distinguishing between wants and needs to be clear about why I’m acquiring something.
– Clicking unsubscribe at the bottom of unrequested emails trying to sell me things.
– Texting STOP in reply to yet another request for funds. (I still donate but on my own schedule, not when someone tries to interrupt my life.)
– Eating mindfully so I notice and appreciate textures and flavors.
– Recognizing when I’ve worked intensely for a long stretch and need to take a walk around the block.
– Being honest with myself about whether I will use or wear something and putting it up on the neighborhood Buy Nothing group to set it free for someone else to enjoy.
– Setting down my phone.
– Not rushing
I’ll likely keep adding to this list.
Thank you! I want you to know how much I enjoy your blog! I hope to ride my bike a bit more this Spring and not be so afraid of falling.
I like your list 🙂
You have a good start. One of those would be a good beginning. Thank you!
It’s a subjective little word that seems to wax and wane each day. What was enough yesterday, isn’t enough today. It is a curious life.
Sounds like a philosophical way to describe inflation, Don. Thank you.
For the moment being, awareness arises of enough of having stressed dear ones far too much in going far too much over the limits without having been aware of it, which may cease now. Grateful for this insight, and deeply grateful for having been allowed to experience such unconditional friendhip and support nevertheless.
It means equality that does not exist on this planet
Whenever I purchase something I let something else go, by donating it. That way I keep our home neat and (mostly) clutter free. I have enough of everything I need.
We do the same Linda. We do not need a rental storage unit and still can park a pick-up and a car in our two-car garage.
For me it means more shelves and closets that are empty or barely full, not many duplicates, if I haven’t used it in a bit do I need it.
As many mentioned, I want to increase virtues on my spiritual path.
For me, enough means that my basic
material needs are being met.
And then there are the intangible things
like love, connection, kindness, and purpose.
These things are a bit harder to come by
and they require a different kind of effort.
I have never understood how people can
dedicate there lives to acquiring more and
more wealth. Trying to fill in for those
intangible things with a substance. I think
of so much of this as distraction.
Distraction from those intangible things
that we are lacking. I certainly have been
guilty of this.
Humans are strange. 😁
Amen to the last remark. Albert Einstein is purported to have said, “I know of only two things that are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I’m not always sure about the universe.”
I have everything I need. I am everything I need to be.
My basic needs are met, and I feel safe emotionally and physically.
Came across this quote on another site this morning that really speaks to me and seems apropos to today’s question:
In a consumer society, contentment is a radical proposition.
Recognizing abundance rather than scarcity undermines an economy that thrives by creating unmet desires.
Gratitude cultivates an ethic of fullness.
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, “Braiding Sweetgrass”
Ah yes, I just finished reading that
book. Excellent. And I couldn’t
agree with you more regarding
safety. So easy to overlook when
you have it.
Thank you Laura! My most favorite book, Braiding Sweetgrass”. Powerful writting, lots to think about as we move around in this world of ours. Contentment is a radical proposition indeed.
Enough = food, water, love, fullness
When I consider what “enough” means to me, it brings me back to the state of gratitude for what is. Gratitude for the time I have, gratitude for the friends I have, gratitude for enough money to take care of business, and on it could go.
Enough is also a sensory experience for me. My being senses what is enough. My body tells me when it has had enough food, enough rest, enough movement. My mind and heart tell me when I have had enough worldly stimulation and I need to be quiet. I have not thought of responding to “enough” as a sensory experience so specifically before. I will continue to notice my awareness in this way.
One of the many things I appreciate about these questions and each of you is I often think of ideas in ways I have not previously. The wisdom and life experiences here are interesting and provocative. Thank you.
So agree! Thank you for voicing it.
Metaphorically enough means the glass is neither half empty or half full. It is, and there is plenty!
Argh—this is defintely an area of spiritual development I’d like to become settled in. By the way, I tried to avoid using the word “more” in my leader. I have inclined towards some insatiability. As we all know our culture tells us we never have enough and we never are enough. Without this hungry ghost mentality there would be no capitalism. I notice the quest for acquisition is subtle, too. For example, do I need another retreat, training, or ceritfication? Why do I believe there is something outside that will finally be “it.” There is so much involved with these behavior: feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and greed. I am glad to start my day contemplating this question. Today, I’ll see where there are opportunities to ask myself, “do I really want this?”
Thank you for this truth filed assessment. Everyone is in competition for the consumer dollar, even the spirituality sector.