the speaking tree - When To Know That Enough Is Enough
Marguerite Theophil
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While visiting some temples in Bali, each person was handed a sash to wrap around the waist. This was explained as a symbolic gesture of `containing the appetites' while one prayed; a beautiful reminder to ask only for what is really needed, not more.I also recall a wise theologian, leading a group through the Lord's Prayer, saying that the line “Give us this day our daily bread ...“ should be seen as a guide to ask for what was `just enough' in the faith that it would repeatedly and constantly be given. It should also act as a reminder to us to avoid a `stockpiling mentality', where we might wish to end up with a lot more than others, perhaps leaving others with less or with nothing at all.
The novelist Kurt Vonnegut wrote a lovely poem honouring the writer Joseph Heller. This is how it goes: Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead, and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island. I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host only yesterday may have made more money than your novel `Catch-22' has earned in its entire history?“ And Joe said, “I've got something he can never have.“
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?“ And Joe said, “The knowledge that I've got enough.“ Not bad! Rest in peace! When we speak of `enough' many people connect this idea with deprivation. Contentment, a way of understanding `enoughness', is not about depriving oneself, but about being happy with what one has. As this Mullah Nasruddin tale teaches: Nasruddin's neighbour one day lamented, “I'm really having trouble fitting my family into our small house.My wife, three children, my mother-in law and I, all share the same cottage.Mullah, you are a wise man. Do you have any advice for me?“ “Of course,“ replied Nasruddin. “Do you have any chickens in your yard?“ The man replied, “Yes. Ten.“ Mullah ordered: “Put them in the house.“ “But,“ the man protested, “our house is already so cramped.“ Nasruddin urged: “Just try it.“
Desperate to find a solution the man followed Nasruddin's advice, but the next day said: “Mullah, with the chickens in the house, things are even worse now.“ “Don't worry ,“ replied Nasruddin, “Now take that donkey of yours into the house.“ The man resisted, but Nasruddin convinced him to do it. The next day , the man, more distressed than ever grumbled, “This is terrible! Between my family , the chickens and that donkey , there is bare ly any room to move!“ “Hmmm,“ went Nasruddin, “any other animals in your yard?“ The man hesitated, “Well ... we do have a goat.“ Mullah smiled: “Perfect! Take the goat in your house too.“
The man once again raised a fuss and seemed anything but eager to follow this advice, but Nasruddin once again convinced him it was for the best.
The next day , the man burst out, “My family is really upset now.Everyone is at my throat complaining about the lack of space. Your plan is making us miserable.“ Nasruddin nodded, “It's time to take all of the animals back outside.“
So the man followed and did as he was told, and the next day , dropped by Nasruddin and declared, “Mullah you are wise indeed. Your plan has worked like a charm. Our house feels so spacious that none of us can help but feel pleased; no one complains anymore.“
The novelist Kurt Vonnegut wrote a lovely poem honouring the writer Joseph Heller. This is how it goes: Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead, and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island. I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host only yesterday may have made more money than your novel `Catch-22' has earned in its entire history?“ And Joe said, “I've got something he can never have.“
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?“ And Joe said, “The knowledge that I've got enough.“ Not bad! Rest in peace! When we speak of `enough' many people connect this idea with deprivation. Contentment, a way of understanding `enoughness', is not about depriving oneself, but about being happy with what one has. As this Mullah Nasruddin tale teaches: Nasruddin's neighbour one day lamented, “I'm really having trouble fitting my family into our small house.My wife, three children, my mother-in law and I, all share the same cottage.Mullah, you are a wise man. Do you have any advice for me?“ “Of course,“ replied Nasruddin. “Do you have any chickens in your yard?“ The man replied, “Yes. Ten.“ Mullah ordered: “Put them in the house.“ “But,“ the man protested, “our house is already so cramped.“ Nasruddin urged: “Just try it.“
Desperate to find a solution the man followed Nasruddin's advice, but the next day said: “Mullah, with the chickens in the house, things are even worse now.“ “Don't worry ,“ replied Nasruddin, “Now take that donkey of yours into the house.“ The man resisted, but Nasruddin convinced him to do it. The next day , the man, more distressed than ever grumbled, “This is terrible! Between my family , the chickens and that donkey , there is bare ly any room to move!“ “Hmmm,“ went Nasruddin, “any other animals in your yard?“ The man hesitated, “Well ... we do have a goat.“ Mullah smiled: “Perfect! Take the goat in your house too.“
The man once again raised a fuss and seemed anything but eager to follow this advice, but Nasruddin once again convinced him it was for the best.
The next day , the man burst out, “My family is really upset now.Everyone is at my throat complaining about the lack of space. Your plan is making us miserable.“ Nasruddin nodded, “It's time to take all of the animals back outside.“
So the man followed and did as he was told, and the next day , dropped by Nasruddin and declared, “Mullah you are wise indeed. Your plan has worked like a charm. Our house feels so spacious that none of us can help but feel pleased; no one complains anymore.“
