Another take on ‘enough’

‘Enough’ is a funny word.

It’s often a measure against which we’re judged and judge ourselves.  With a finding of ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’.

It can sometimes mean ‘a lot’.  Like the amount of research I did in the example I shared in the last blog.  Enough for me, too much for others.

It can have connotations of ‘no more than the minimum required’.  Which would usually be way less than an HSP would give.  Unless we don’t have time or our energy hits a wall.

And, sometimes, enough is just enough. Sufficient.

Which brings me to a poem I came across in my work as a funeral celebrant.

It’s by Bob Perks and it’s called ‘I wish you enough’.  A title which immediately made me curious.

The poem’s set in the context of a father seeing his daughter off at the airport.  Perhaps for the last time.

But it could just as well be about anyone wishing the best for someone else, at any time.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you possess.

I wish you enough hellos
to get you through the final goodbye.

You’ll see from the last line why it was relevant to my celebrancy work.

But the whole poem encourages us to think more about life generally and to live it more appreciatively.

It also reminds us that things have a purpose.  And how contrast puts things in focus.

Finally, for me, it places ‘enough’ squarely between ‘too much’ and ‘not enough’.

I wonder what ‘enough’ means to you?

Whatever it is, it’ll be your own uniquely personal take.  And all the more valuable for that.

If you’re interested,  the poem comes from the same author’s book, “I Wish You Enough: Embracing Life’s Most Valuable Moments One Wish at a Time”.

Sadly, it’s out of print.  But what a great title!