135: Do You Have Enough?
What's enough?
I'm not talking about possessions, money, or friends?
I'm more interested in the essence of what gives your life meaning, contentment, and purpose.
Enough came to mind recently as I was reflecting on an article I read that considered the word "enough" to be the key to aging.
Here's what the author (a 90 year-old, at the time, by the way) had to say:
"Just about the best thing in the world for your blood pressure, heart rate, brain cells and general physiology is the sense of Enough. This day is enough, this latte and peanut butter cookie are enough, this quiet moment in the middle of universal angst is enough. I didn’t wake up with a light bulb over my head on this; I simply began to recognize the general sufficiency, the enough-ness of things."1
"Enough-ness" as the writer says, matters because without a general sense of having and being enough, you'll feel an increasing sense of discontentment year after year.
Discontentment could remind you that you haven't had enough fun, earned enough money, saved enough for your retirement era, or been enough of a meaningful person to your loved ones.
Enough-ness is realizing you are enough and have enough to make the most of what's available to you—not what you lack or wish you had.
Get a grip on your enough-ness and make the most of what's within your grasp right here, right now.
You have
- enough energy for the next step,
- enough resilience to keep going, and
- enough time for the moment.
What you do with your enough is up to you!
Enough energy for your next step
What's enough energy? That's a good question but only if you're intent on taking advantage of what you discover.
Enough when you're rallying your energy isn't an excuse to dismiss your reserves. In fact, those reserve energy sources are the spark for igniting or reigniting your fire for whatever your next step is.
Having or finding energy isn't the issue. The issue is knowing what's enough to get moving. Aging, by it's nature, extracts an amount of energy from your psyche when you tell yourself you're too tired, too old, or too anything.
We're talking a step here—not a full marathon of action. Adjust your perspective and realize that one step at a time is your available energy's best effort. And your energy will expand the more steps you take. One step is better than none. Trust me, that's enough for the time being.
Enough resilience to keep going
Resilience is earned through enough difficulty. Your measure of difficulty will likely differ from mine and that's okay. Life isn't a competition.
When was the last time you admitted, "I've had enough!" Resilience would beg to differ, especially if you haven't been pushed to a breaking point.
Resilience increases in those gaps where what's broken is healed and even made stronger. I've realized in my six decades of life that the more I embrace the obstacles and challenges in my life, the more resilient I become.
Think about your most recent physical or emotional challenge. That's enough for the time being to begin building some resilience. And when you accept the challenge—whatever it is—you'll find a reason to keep going. Resilience works that way.
Enough time for the moment you're in
There seems to be never enough time. So, enough-ness relative to your available time can feel out of reach.
Moments aren't as picky when it comes to time. It's like each moment is saying, "I'm here...use me...maximize me. Because once I'm gone, you'll be faced with regret for having not taken advantage of me."
A moment in time is enough for right now. It's enough to say I'm sorry, I forgive you, I love you, I believe in you, I'm pulling for you. Those are momentary decisions that you have more than enough time to accomplish if you choose to take action.
The moment is here. And then it's gone. Would be a shame to have not considered it enough.
Energy, resilience, and time can be elusive, but you have enough of each to keep your grip on them.
Press on...
Eddie
Sources:
1-https://medium.com/crows-feet/agings-best-kept-secret-04f0a9a53a5f