How much is ‘enough’?
Do we ever pause to ask ourselves – ‘How much is enough?’
Some do, and I heard a philanthropist couple ask this question at a session. It has remained with me, and a good place to start this blog. How much do we need to gather for ourselves? Human nature perhaps is to grow – and accumulate.
When in caves, our ancestors might have amassed wood for fire, dragged excess meat inside? Difficult to find, maybe we can let some AI thread figure out a response to that. Speaking of AI, today we all want to have a share of that pie – no one quite understands what it is and how it will help us, but we do not want to be left behind. We want more of it.
This human trait of accumulating and gathering often replaces the purpose and meaning of our lives. We keep at it for a future somewhere far ahead, when all that we gather will be useful. For us, for our future generations.
I believe we need to sit with the people closest to us and ask this question – ‘How much is enough for us?’ Because once we have figured that out, the rest is available to us to give freely – our money, our time, our experience, our wisdom, our generosity. With a great feeling of abundance.
It’s an important question to ask ourselves at regular intervals – maybe every year, every few years, maybe more frequently. Because once we try to answer it, we may discover amazing answers. Like ‘we have enough for xyzabc’, or ‘we do not need to work for money any more’, or ‘I can spend my time on what I want and not only on obligations’ etc.
Do we really need to spend a large chunk of our time in endless socializing? How much travel will it take for us to discover it’s fairly repetitive? How many ‘positions’ can we keep owning to do more of the same? When can we let go of what is no longer needed, and begin something new? Walk on new ways?
And that is when we truly begin a journey of purpose. This can happen at any age, any point in time. We can discover we have a lot to give which we do not need. We already do it while spring cleaning – clothes, toys, knick-knacks, stuff our family has outgrown. Maybe the same can be done with our time and our capability – give away what we have in excess?
Very interesting questions, and great answers. If and when we pause to think.
Wishing you that pause.
Team Shubh Arambh
