Having Enough

 You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?   Steven Wright

I may have used this quote before. Steven Wright’s humor just cracks me up!

When I practice gratitude for what I have, I get to experience contentment. What a gift! The constant wanting for more never ends by the receiving, because there is always more to want. What a waste of time that is. I know this for sure, because it is a recurring lesson.

I got to sit in a gloriously beautiful backyard of an equally gorgeous home last night for a yard concert. It was divine! The setting was gasp-worthy. If I were in the state of wanting, I wouldn’t have enjoying being there as much as I did, because I would have been consumed by wanting my own back yard, my own glorious plantings, my own beautiful house. The music would have been tinged with the bitter green of envy, and I would have left the event feeling ‘less than’ and ‘not enough’. 

I choose to not live that way. I have learned to appreciate the backstory behind every possession, rather than feel a resentment for not having my own. What work went into that thing I’m appreciating? What education and experience went into the career which allowed such a bounty to be had? How much purposeful extra education was needed? Etcetera! What I do have is enough. In fact, I have more than enough—I have plenty.

When I practice gratitude for all that I have, I teach myself appreciation. I learn to notice the details, see the wonder, feel a sense of joyful calm, and carry on.

Today I am grateful for having enough—and more.