What Is Enough?

Lately, I have been hearing a common theme of wondering, “What are the expectations in this new normal?”. In the midst of a pandemic,  should we look to return to our old normal or adapt to a new life? What will the new look like? What should my expectations be? What is enough?

    We question what we bring to the table and if it is enough. I remember when my kids were young, every Monday night was spaghetti night. My spaghetti was (and still is) nothing special. It wasn’t amazing but it wasn’t not tasty either. It was just basic spaghetti. It was the best that I could bring to the table at the time. It was what I would call a “just good enough” spaghetti.

    As I look back on the consistency of that offering, I realize that my basic good enough spaghetti was so much more than the taste and quality of it. It was my good enough showing up. 

    In her book, Daring Greatly, Brene Brown  speaks of showing up in the arenas of our lives. It makes me think of how sometimes we do not show up because we are unaware of what we are bringing to the table. We make judgments on our efforts if they are not considered good enough. Because my effort can’t be great, it just simply won’t be at all. 

    The showing up is sometimes the good enough. When we realize that sometimes good enough is enough; when we bring what we can to the table of our lives, we are showing up. During our time of uncertainty, it is easy to question ourselves and evaluate what we offer to our families and careers to see if we’re enough. It’s easy to look over what we consider as our basic, nothing special talents and see them as not worthy of the table of others. But perhaps, this is where we are unaware.

    The good enough efforts that we make over time turn into the impactful  was we contribute to what makes our lives special. There may be hesitation, fear, dread, even doubt that holds us back from showing up. But the reselient consistency of bringing what we can to the table will be the lasting impact of who we are and what we offer. 

    I don’t have memories of delicious meals of gourmet Italian fare, but I do remember sharing a space with my family. A space molded by warmth, love, nurturance, stories, and growth. That was certainly good enough.