Re-published from August 11, 2011
I had ants in my pants all day yesterday. It’s summer and everything seems to be moving at a snails pace. It was a day where everything I started, I just couldn’t finish. I found out that a few consulting opportunities I had been working on got delayed, and there was nothing I could do to move them forward.
I had ants in my pants all day yesterday. It’s summer and everything seems to be moving at a snails pace. It was a day where everything I started, I just couldn’t finish. I found out that a few consulting opportunities I had been working on got delayed, and there was nothing I could do to move them forward.
So, I sat out on my porch to work on a chapter for my novel. Then, the Thunderbirds started flying over my house as they practiced their maneuvers for an air show this weekend—not that I’m complaining. I absolutely love when the air shows come to town. It’s just hard to write when it sounds like a fighter jet is about to land upside down on your house.
I went to my computer. Nothing new to post to Facebook. No new emails…and nothing to send. So I deleted some emails in my archive folder. You know I’m reeeally bored when I do this. I saw an email from someone I used to be in a relationship with and thought, My love life stinks! Why isn’t a great guy in my life right NOW?! It’s a perfect night to be going out for drinks and dinner and walking on the beach…
So, I turn on the TV. All re-runs. It’s summer. Who the heck is home watching TV…but me?! I could watch Andersen Cooper in Somalia, which is completely depressing (I did send money though). I also had the option of listening to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC squawk on and on about how our politicians don’t get along. Ugh! Do we really need anymore analysis about how dysfunctional our government is right now? Just fix it already! Off went my remote.
I bargained with myself that if I could fall asleep by 9 PM (rare for a night owl like me), then I could make it up in time for a sunrise walk on the beach at 6 AM, which is completely amazing this time of year.
I laid there in the dark with my eyes wide open. I just couldn’t sleep. I wondered why I was so antsy. I came to the conclusion that nothing in my life right now is the way I want it to be…and I didn’t know how to fix it. I said out loud, “There’s got to be a better way!”
I went to my computer. Nothing new to post to Facebook. No new emails…and nothing to send. So I deleted some emails in my archive folder. You know I’m reeeally bored when I do this. I saw an email from someone I used to be in a relationship with and thought, My love life stinks! Why isn’t a great guy in my life right NOW?! It’s a perfect night to be going out for drinks and dinner and walking on the beach…
So, I turn on the TV. All re-runs. It’s summer. Who the heck is home watching TV…but me?! I could watch Andersen Cooper in Somalia, which is completely depressing (I did send money though). I also had the option of listening to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC squawk on and on about how our politicians don’t get along. Ugh! Do we really need anymore analysis about how dysfunctional our government is right now? Just fix it already! Off went my remote.
I bargained with myself that if I could fall asleep by 9 PM (rare for a night owl like me), then I could make it up in time for a sunrise walk on the beach at 6 AM, which is completely amazing this time of year.
I laid there in the dark with my eyes wide open. I just couldn’t sleep. I wondered why I was so antsy. I came to the conclusion that nothing in my life right now is the way I want it to be…and I didn’t know how to fix it. I said out loud, “There’s got to be a better way!”
I got up and schlepped downstairs with my cat Max following close behind me. By the way he looked at me, he was probably thinking, “What the heck is going on with her tonight?”
I had no idea where I was going.
I went to my computer and turned on Hay House Radio. In the archives, I found my way to Alan Cohen who was doing a show called, When Do You Become Enough?
Interesting title, I thought since nothing in my life at that moment seemed like Enough. When I started listening, I realized I was being lead to the better way.
Interesting title, I thought since nothing in my life at that moment seemed like Enough. When I started listening, I realized I was being lead to the better way.
His whole show was about the acknowledgement of having ENOUGH right now. He talked about a conversation he had with Wayne Dyer. They got onto the subject of money. Wayne Dyer, who makes thousands of dollars for each of his lectures, said to Alan,“I have Enough money. I don’t need anymore money.”
Alan was surprised at first then realized it was a profound statement. Wayne’s Enough attitude was a lens that he chose to see his life through instead of waiting for a certain dollar amount in his bank account to determine that he had Enough.
Alan coined it, “Enoughness Consciousness.”
Alan went on to talk about a family he met in Fiji who lived a very sparse life, but were the happiest people he had ever met. He compared that family to a client who worked for an international consulting firm who came to him upset that someone was trashing her reputation. She was wealthy and didn’t believe she had everything she needed in life. She told Alan that as a child, she played the piano. Her father would give her a fifty cent piece if she played a particular piece perfectly. As a result, her whole adult life has been spent trying to be perfect and thinking she’s never good Enough…if only she could…blah, blah, blah. Alan asked her, “How many businesses will be enough? How much more money will be Enough? When will YOU be Enough?”
As soon as she realized how she was viewing her life, there was a shift. Indeed, she saw that her life was Enough and she stopped trying to chase the next degree and financial carrot.
People from around the world called into the show--out of balance…wanting more than what they had in that moment or afraid that tomorrow, they wouldn’t have Enough. Each time when Alan asked, “Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food on the table?”
They all answered, “Yes!”
By the end of the conversation, they realized they did have Enough in that moment. It was fear of not having Enough that made them (and me) think they didn’t…even though I hate to admit it.
I started to wonder, Do I really have Enough?
Being the accountant that I am, I started to add up my Enoughs. I have a beautiful house in the city I love. I walk on the beach almost every day. I have money in the bank, fairly good health and good friends. So, I don’t have a great guy in my love life right now. I have the Thunderbirds flying over my head all day, which has been fun to experience. I don’t have the project I want in my hands right now, but I’m working on a creative project, which I love and seldom had time in the past to focus on. My novel isn’t 100% complete now, but so what? It’s the journey not the outcome that gives the most satisfaction. I’ll get it done.
I realized that I’m not suffering in any way. As a matter of fact, I live quite well as compared to most people in the world. I have more than Enough. I have Enoughness Consciousness!
After that, I decided I had had Enough of Enough….and went to bed.
I thank Alan Cohen for facilitating my lesson for the day: When Do You Become Enough? The Answer: NOW…which seems to be the answer to most questions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Follow R. Ann Rousseau on Twitter @RAnnRousseau
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Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: The Only Thing That Matters Book Review, When You're in the Presence of a Master , Surrender to a Happy Outcome, Robin Rousseau Reviews The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer, Is Your Life Mapped Out? Book Review, Robin Rousseau Reviews The Spiritual Human: A Poetic Guide to Life on Earth by Elise Fee, All Things Are Lessons God Would Have Me Learn Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, Throw Your Unforgiveness into Stinky Creek, Awakening the Luminous Mind - Book Review, Follow Your Dreams - Interview with Photographer Sharon Seaward, The Gift of Criticism - Does it Belong to You?, The Real Rules of Life Book Review, Tales of Everyday Magic - My Greatest Teacher (My Dad) Movie Review, What Did You Do Tomorrow? A Hay House Radio Show Discussion, Yes! Energy Book Review, Are You a Women’s Libber? Oprah’s Next Chapter with Gloria Steinem Discussion, What is Spirituality? - Oprah's Life Class Tour with Deepak Chopra, I Believe - Book Review, Hay House Radio Show Discussion, Living On Purpose - Oprah's Life Class Tour Discussion, My Titanic Family Legend, Pearls of Wisdom Book Review, Enough Already - The Power of Radical Contentment Book Review, Wishes Fulfilled - Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion with Wayne Dyer, A Facebook Message from a Friend in Spirit, Are You Having a Life Crisis? Do You Know What Integrity Is? Wishes Fulfilled - Mastering the Art of Manifesting Book Review, Authentic Power - Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, KEM - Sophisticated, Sexy, Soulful and Spiritual, Are You Out of Alignment? Choice Point Book Review, The Middle Lane, Clean Your Mirrors, Three Feet From Gold - Book Review, Do You Need a Most Benevolent Outcome?, We Are All Connected Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, Release the Anger: Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, One Big Global Blogging Family, Book Review - Psychic Exploration A Challenge for Science, Hay House Radio's New Show SoundWave A Bit Hit!, Do You Believe in Soul Mates, The Future of Astrology, You Always Had the Power- Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Love Doesn't Hurt - Oprah's Life Class Discussion, The Unconditional Love of Animals-Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Your Life is Whispering to You. Pay Attention. Oprah's Life Class Discussion, The Power of a Second Chance: Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Aging : Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Review, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review
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