How Much is Enough?

“ With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, 
who could not be happy?”

~Oscar Wilde

Even with the current state of the economy and so many people looking for work, as a country we remain far wealthier and in possession of far more stuff than most places on the planet.  Yet there is a large body of evidence that a significant number of Americans don’t think they have enough.  I’m not dismissing the hardship brought on by unemployment—my family has not gone untouched by this experience and I personally understand the challenges it brings.  Still, I encourage you to ask yourself, “How much is enough?”

The human race has ingrained in it an ancient fear of scarcity which is accompanied by a need to have more.  The truth is, however, research on happiness and life satisfaction indicates that no matter how much you have, it doesn’t guarantee you happiness.  What is more likely to support fulfillment is having enough to create a reserve.  You do not have to be financially wealthy to have a reserve of money.  Rather, you have to know how much is enough for you--as you personally define it, not as the media or the Jones’ do. 

Taking the time to figure out how much is enough—and it may be far less that you think—allows you to create a reserve.  Having a reserve enables you to relax in the knowledge that you will always have enough.  Trusting you have enough fills you with the energy required to explore and create and puts you on the path to your life worth living.   

How do you know how much is enough?