When "Enough" Becomes an Unreachable Ideal

Modern capitalism excels at two things: it creates wealth and envy. These two forces go hand in hand, like old friends who are inseparable and dangerous. We see the success of others and fall into a race, a race that pushes us to work more, faster, and harder. However, the problem isn't in striving but in forgetting the most important thing – a sense of enough. If you always feel like something is missing, it doesn't matter how much you earn.

Modern capitalism excels at two things: it creates wealth and envy. These two forces go hand in hand, like old friends who are inseparable and dangerous. We see the success of others and fall into a race, a race that pushes us to work more, faster, and harder. However, the problem isn't in striving but in forgetting the most important thing – a sense of enough. If you always feel like something is missing, it doesn't matter how much you earn.

This isn’t just philosophy; it’s life. They say happiness is a result minus expectations. We paint an ideal in our minds but often miss the present.

At one of the parties hosted by a billionaire on Shelter Island, writer Kurt Vonnegut once pointed out to his friend, author Joseph Heller, that the host of the party earned more money in a single day than Heller earned for his entire novel, Catch-22. Heller smiled and replied: “Yes, but I have one thing that he will never have. It's called ‘I have enough’.”

I have enough – three simple words that change how we view the world. There's incredible power in them because they allow us to stop and appreciate what we already have. In a world where wealth is often measured by bank balances, we forget what’s truly important. Even those who have reached incredible heights can sometimes lose their way by chasing another number, which will be just another reward but won’t bring fulfillment.

We all strive for success, but when we forget that we already have enough, we lose everything. When you no longer feel enough, you lose happiness too.

So, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself: Do I have that one thing that others will never have? Do I have a place in my life for ‘I have enough’?

Then success, happiness, and true freedom will always be with you.