How Much is Enough?

How Much is Enough? Kinda depends... are you talking about my stuff or my Hubby's? Like George Carlin said, "Ever notice how other people's stuff is shit, and your shit is stuff?"

Wow, talk about an abundance mindset. I love the distinction that it's more about focusing on the joy these things bring you more than the things themselves.

سلام
من یک ایرانی هستم
افتخار میکنم استاد ارجمندی مانند رندی گیج دارم
ارزوی موفقیت برای استادم میکنم

Randy,

Wow, you bring up some important questions. I believe at any point in a person's life, whether they have very little material posessions or everything they could ever want, there can be a "feeling" of not-enoughness.

I think it's important to realize it's only a feeling and it can easily be released.

At the same time, we will always be a creative being, so will constantly be creating more. It's what you do with it and how grateful for what you have that matters.

Thanks for the thought provoking post!

Karen

Hey RG- I found your post very interesting. I don't know if the answer is easy one way or another but here's my take on it. It's not about how much we have. 100 cars or 200. The prosperity consciousness is the same wether it's 5 cars or 100. The bouncy house or 100 cars are the same thing. Is it practical to have 100 cars? Compared to what and under whose rules? Maybe the practicality of what others perceive of excess is the ability to now share even more. I say damn the practicality. Wether its 100 cars, 100 homes or 100 Prada shoes, there is no limit to your worthiness in the eyes of consciousness. The rules are only ours. Thanks mate.

Great post and food for thought.

I have less stuff now that ever before and yet I have achieved more happiness and contentment. Doesn't mean it's right for everyone, but for me I have learned what matters for me, what is important to me and also redefined my values and goals. I think we have to find what works for us. The context also will change what is a priority and what's not. Just seeing my fellow Australians on the other side of the country lose their friends, family, their homes and businesses has caused me to stop and question again what truly matters and is where I am spending my energy, time and money a reflection of what I say I value.
So many people reacted to this by wanting to cancel Australia Day celebrations and fireworks. I disagree being able to come together and celebrate is an important part of life. Celebrate our successes big and small is part of an attitude of gratitude.

Hi Randy,

Thanks for sharing the love. This post just brings one thought to my mind, namely how we people look at the world. Some of us look through the eyes and this view is very limited. For this people it's like asking a question: "How much love is enough?" On the other hand some of us look through the heart and I believe those people see what others cannot see. This is were limitations disappears and then enough is never enough.

Start a car museum, then you can place all of the special models in there and keep them in good condition in a place where they can be appreciated by others for years to come.

Then you can also still go and see them without having to feel any loss for having gotten rid of one or more of your favourites.

Having 100 cars in your garage may be seen as a bit excessive to some. Share them with others, however, and you will be loved my car lovers the World over.
Jase :)

Randy,

I lllooovvveee the "Money doesn't buy happiness, but NEITHER DOES POVERTY!"

I can pretty much group my friends into 2 groups: the bigger group looks down on money and one of them speaks of money as if it literally were filth.

And yet, she's been talking about starting a charity to help adopted/fostered children.... So she started doing the leg work to investigate what it would take to start that charity and she went to see an attorney who informed her that it would take a whole lotta money THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE!

The other, much smaller group, composed of 4 or 5 of us individuals do believe in accumulating wealth. In our own ways, we are working on building our individual wealth. At some point in our futures, we will have the financial and emotional resources to start the charities that are near to our hearts.

For me personally, enough is enough when I have run out of the emotional/spiritual resources to handle that level of materialism in a healthy, appropriate way.

I recently sold one of my last Oreck air filters. Of course at the moment of sale it's now a used air filter but the lady who purchased it from me was so very excited because she was buying it for her husband who has severe allergies. Some people might say I'm greedy because I had 2 when I "really only needed one" air filter. But I had the financial resources to purchase them brand new. The woman who purchased it from me did not have that same level of financial resources to go to the Oreck store and buy one new. But the used filter she purchased from me gave her the same joy.

So what? You have a whole bunch of new cars. Maybe you'll keep them. Maybe you'll trade them in and someone who cannot currently afford a new car will take great joy in purchasing a gently used one.

The next time someone complains about materialism, ask THEM to donate 1 billion dollars of their own money to their favorite house of worship or charity (like Ted Turner did).

The complainers are lack thinkers who are jealous and ashamed of admitting that they are lack thinkers so they cover up their shame by trying to make the wealth builders look greedy.

Well, it's the "greedy" wealth builders that are able to donate huge quantities of money to worthy causes.

It's the lack thinkers who are expecting their families to carry the burden of supporting them in their old age because they didn't believe in building wealth (of whatever size would be necessary) to support themselves independently.

I think this insidious social norm is especially perpetuated in families. I used to earn close to $100K designing systems. It took a lot of sacrifice for me to build up to that level of income. On one vacation trip to my parents home, I was telling my mom about a business trip that I was going to take to China and other parts of Asia. You could see the jealousy on her face - my own mom! - as she said, "It must be nice."

But ask my mom if she'll sign up to my network marketing business and she'll jump off her seat to emphasize how she's so desperately "afraid of rejection" and how she doesn't need to build financial security because "her children will support her financially in her old age along with her self-inflicted health issues/expenses."

Take one of those "enough is enough" people, flip them over like a pancake and underneath you'll find someone who is lazy and has an entitlement mentality.

My thoughts are it's more important what you do with what is given to you. I actually view myself as a temporary custodian over everything that is given to me. If i'm stingy and hoard it all away than GOD will show me why I don't deserve those things. A few years ago I honestly thought I could retire and become a real estate tycoon. My world changed almost overnight. I've learned to be grateful for even the little things like a bed, a stove, a refrigerator. Without gratitude you cannot nor will you receive more.

Yeeeeeeeeeea Buddy ! Why not have it all!

Life is suppose to be fun! That is why you are here this time grasshopper!

Why you do things is important! Did you buy the bounce house because you felt guilty or Did you feel good because you brought joy into the life of the young girl?

Both gifts to yourself are equally important. I feel good when I see joy in anyone because we are really all divine! Even when you rant!

Life’s most urgent question is: What are you buying for yourself?

"It means you accept that you are worthy."

Any question asking about 'enough' is always from a point of view stuck in lack, insufficiency, envy or want.

Recently I mentioned my plan for the next 150 years of my life. The reply was "Why would you want to live that long?" I said, “I could spend eternity here if They let me!”

This week I have been contemplating the following:

Whenever something doesn't work out the way I thought it would or think it should, instead of thinking that something went wrong, I see it as something that went unexpectedly well, but for reasons that are not yet apparent.

It has been producing lots of serendipity and substantiates worthiness.

We all define prosperity or abundance differently because we're all different.

For some it is the richness of family and friends. For others it is the balance in their bank account.
For others it is what they can do for or give to others.

The donation of your time to an organization can be 10 times more valuable than a monetary contribution...or vice versa...depending on your talents and what can be accomplished with the application of either.

Open your mind, open your heart and you'll be surprised how much prosperity and abundance will flow into your life.

Thought I would share this with you all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12140064

"Limitations are bad. Boundaries are good."

Wow! There's a lot of power in those six words, Randy.
jim

It is fascinating to me that the EXACT same people who say "don't you have enough" are the ones who ask for loans, favors, and donations for people/ things that matter to them.

Nowadays EXCESSITY is a necessity.

I will never get enough of the stuff that really rock my boat - experiences, knowledge, travel, people, beauty, nature, plays, books, music, growth. And while I love things, I am incredibly particular about what I allow in my space. Aesthetics & quality is more important than quantity. So for the things that I do have, I cherish with my entire being till it ceases to give me joy - then I release it to someone else. And maybe it gets replaced, with something that gives me more joy. So, it'll never be enough, for this process continues ceaselessly, and I love it. :)

I don't know if anybody gonna care about my post but, I've thought about that last year. For me personally, I'm not rich or have a good satisfying job, ever. Although, I have found something I like doing on the internet.

Anyway, minus having money and a 'good paying job', I'm actually satisfied with my situation right now since last couple of years. I found out after finish paying mortgage on my house that I've literally been on a 'semi-retired' mode. I don't need much money anymore besides paying my monthly bills. I don't really care if I eat for the day except when I nd to when I'm hungry or thirsty.

I love playing games and I can't stop myself from buying more of that. I don't go out much, even sometime I thought of traveling for holidays but even though if I have money, I'm totally homely and lazy to go through all the hassles of flying or taking the train.

Yeah, I'll love to have more money, maybe to buy hot cars, travel around the world, try out nice food etc. But, in the end though, I thought that maybe all that aren't really what I want.

How much is enough you ask me?

Maybe, it doesn't really matter as long as you you're satisfied and happy with what you already have. Hey, nothing last forever, that's what I always say and materials thing can only makes you happy for awhile.

It's the inner peace that we're all looking for?

For me, I've found mine ..

all is you and you are expanding.. as long as you see you.. and you devour you(the joy of being alive) never enough is enough because you see the whole you

My step-father taught me a phrase when I was young "enough is enough but too much is wonderful!".

Hi Randy

Great topic.

Never too much money for me. When I can buy everything what I need to fabulous life ( and I do not need 15 or 100 cars - too many things could make my life too busy. You need spend time to manage these all things, estates etc., even if you have workers).. So if I have really much I could buy things for my family, friends and later do something for the world. I would have big fun and pleasure in it! So never too much! Always is something to buy and always is some way to spend money good.

hugs
EC

Woo Hoo ... what amazing comments from all.

Randy, I love what you said,
"But the important thing is to never lose sight of where the true joy comes from.” AND “Limitations are bad. Boundaries are good."

I'm really new to all this. I was raised with that 'mind virus of lack' ... anytime I flirted with financial success the spirits of my ancestors were there to reminded me that money was the 'root of all evil' and that money 'did not buy happiness' … not to mention that I should ‘know my place’ as a woman (lol).

A couple of years ago Abraham (and NOT the biblical one) came into my life and a ‘cast of characters’ followed. Last year I gave my life a swift kick in the butt and just started over from scratch … and I do mean from scratch. There has been a great deal of turbulence on the flight, but this trip I KNOW I am going to travel down that road of abundance with no guilt. I will even finish my book ;-)

I have come to the realization that we all make way too much of this. Joy … Joy … Joy is the ‘key’. When we are feeling ‘joy’ with our earthly possessions we are on the right track. When we are ‘keeping up with the Jones’ … we’re way off track. When we are taking action with integrity … we’re on the right track. When we are ‘ants’ rather than ‘grasshoppers’ (from Aesop’s Fables), we’re on the right track. We seem to have forgotten the ‘moral to the stories’.

When is it ‘enough’? Only when we stop launching the rockets of desire.

Now … I’m on my way to watch Materialism or Minimalism :-)

Well you got a way to go to catch Jay Leno!! ha ha... he needs a warehouse for all his wheels.. whatever gets you off... I love food and wine... I get a food blog and this guy eats in all those fou fou restaurants, 20 courses later kind of thing and I told him I can maybe do one of those once a month... for me it's too much, but some foodies love to see what a chef can do and how creative they can be...
When I get my biz going I plan on tithing 10% to the Culinary Institute for a student media scholarship... create and give back!!

In my opinion the world is a very big place, and it is also mysterious, exciting and full of wonder. That is why the world is never enough.
Many people think that they are going to live forever, and that eventually will find a balanced happy life. But I believe there is no power on this Earth that will guarantee I live one minute longer, so the only thing left to do is to live life to the fullest, without timidity or regrets. It's like this huge playground where you just experiment and share your findings with others.
Under this light, the only thing you can control are your own emotions and decisions, and that is a great gift we've been given.

Be glad that you’re greedy; the national economy would collapse if you weren’t. — Mignon McLaughlin

Everyone should have enough money to get plastic surgery. — Beverly Johnson

I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor: Rich is better. — Sophie Tucker

What’s the use of happiness? It can’t buy you
money. — Henny Youngman

I was in a training and the trainer, who does possess nice cars, multiple watches and other things that I desire told a story about his next door neighbor. The neighbor was asking him in an inappropriate way, "Why do you need to live like that? You don't need all those cars and watches! You're too flashy and its unnecessary!" He told us that his reply to the neighbor was, "You know what? You're looking at my lifestyle thinking of your bank account and that's why you say the things that you do. I work hard, I help, teach and train people all over the world so if I want to treat myself to the things I desire, that's what i'm going to do".

Of course this was a neighbor before he moved out of that neighborhood into his dream home. But I see you're point, Randy, about people looking at things from a position of lack

Randy,

If you ever run out of garage space... remember... the planet Mars hasn't been claimed by anyone in particular.... yet!

Planet Gage.... Hmmmmmmm......

Hi Randy. It's like when someone says "$2000 a night for a room, I'm only going to be in it for a few hours, and I'll be asleep".
They obviously haven't done it and more to the point, can't.. so they use the excuse to justify the miserable existence they are fully aware of. I used to do it all the time. "The car gets you from A to B so why pay a fortune for it", (how's that for negative).
So how much is enough? All of it!
As you say, "the ideal place it can take you is learning how to celebrate money and material things instead of worshiping them. How to own them, instead of them owning you". That's a nice place to be and I'm so glad we have you to explain it to people the way you do.
I had better go now or Bones might think this is a solicitation to make out with you. LOL.

As a child of thy Father" enough"
The Heart is as the Universe is endless.
Love is endless.
Mind is powerful.
Enough negativity.
Enough cancer.Enough diseases.
Enough famine.Enough depression.
Boy the joy in writing that.To thine own self be true.
Light let there be light in all of our lives.
And remember Love melts all impossible situations.
Happiness is as happiness does.
Love You Long Time.

s

Enough is enough when you try to sleep at night wondering if you made the right decision.

The power of greed has taken over this country and most of our lives in one way or another. And trying to raise children with confidence, respect, and good values has never been harder.

I raised 3 children during the last 27 years, all respected individuals, earned what they received from their parents with excellent grades and wonderful values. They never asked for more than I could give, and all had brand new cars at 16 because they earned it. But enough was enough, and they all had to get a job and pay for their car insurance and gas. In my opinion there always has to be limitations.

Having enough of everything and respecting what you have, how you got it, and having control of "you" and your future growth is enough. But always growing as a person is never enough....

Randy,

I think I've been reading your blog for too long now what I'm about to comment on has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand but since I know you check in and read the post I'm going to go ahead and share this.

During periods of dream state last night I found myself having a dream with you in it. I saw myself approach your house and when I entered the man I saw was very old and completely different than what your physical appearance is.

Regardless, I knew it was you, you were surrounded by three people very close to you non of which I knew but remained closed to you for the conversation.

Your words to me were, How is your life going now?
My response was, better than ever before, and with that you reached for my hands and touched the tips of my fingers.

No further words transpired only an exchange of energy took place and as I felt the energy flowing up the tips of my fingers I awoke.

I do believe I connected to your highest self, it only reinforces my belief in the work you are doing and the service you are providing for so many that read this platform. I have not been able to get the vision out of my mind simply because it was so vivid and so real.

My apologies if this comment is out of context but was compelled to share.

With Gratitude

"The Secret" isn't popular anymore.

Why?

Because it's not working!

Why?

Because people aren't changing themselves!

You can't build a house on an old house.

Actually the Master Key System, which was the background to The Secret, brings these things up.

You really have to empty your cup and redefine yourself. You are not what you think, and that’s where you have to go.

When you really find out who and what you are, you won't be able to sleep at night, because you realize what you can actually do.

You have all the power of creation and existence within you. What more could you need!

This is what you are here to discover. That's why you're getting pushed into the recesses of yourself, especially now. Take the opportunity!

I don't think it is up to us, how much is enough, as much as it is, what we do with what we are given? "To whom much is given, much is expected. I interpret this to mean that what we are given, is to be enjoyed and also shared. Whether that be material or wisdom. Happiness for me is in finding the balance. The story of the talons talks about the 1, 3, and 10 talons that were given. The one with 10 multiplied it. The one with 3 multiplied it. The one with 1 buried it and did not multipy. If we waste what we are given and do not use it, then it is taken away as the story goes. Same in life. We are intended to be prosperous. This is a manifesting universe. If we waste what we are given, we receive no more. If we multiply what we are given, we prosper. My belief is that the reason we are here on this earth is to love. How we are able to do that depends greatly on what we have to give. If we hoard, we do not multiply. If we keep what we need and give then we prosper. I enjoy the best in life and feel great joy and appreciation when I book the best suite or fly privately, or buy an Armani suit, or live on the ocean. We are all intended to have everything we want if we use our god given gifts. The giving is the best part of all. When you are in a position of abundance, I believe I am to give back. Where ever I see a need, I fill it, whether that be monetarily or wisdom. No matter how many fancy cars I drive or possessions I own, nothing takes the place of the feeling inside of knowing that you were able to make a difference for someone who needed it. We do everything, ultimately to feel loved. What I finally realized is that what I was searching for was already inside of me waiting to be expressed. That's where the ultimate joy is found. And for those of us who have used wisely what has been given to us all, knows what the ultimate gift and feeling is, and it can't be bought. We already all own it. Some of us find it and share it. Others will never search and never know.

Hello!
Reading this post I was thinking about my own experience on the subject of “either / or” and “how much is enough” in my life. Just simple instance to explain what I’m talking about. For several years I have been in the mobile phones. I was looking to them in electronic shops, searching reviews in internet, comparing different models, “ what would I prefer if…” on so on and so forth.
I would like to notice that:
- I don’t need more than one phone really
- all these new models and imaginary advantages and upgrades are just a marketing trick to make us shell out and pay
- this mania’s made me a maniac (just look at these two words that way)
- I’ve spent so much time thinking of these phones, lost so much energy, you even can’t imagine! How many great and useful things would I have been able to create if I had invested all this passion in the more appropriate constructive directions!
- All these dilemmas whether to buy that one or that one or the both together, should I spend money or not, why that guy already has the new model and I don’t, does he earn more, do I earn enough to afford… and so on, they are all brought up by lack of self-respect and self-confidence
- I have bought 4 phones ( now I have no idea why and for what), but I was emotionally exhausted and disappointed!
- That didn’t make me happier even a little bit, because that is the game! There will never be enough! Marketing and advertisement and “image issues” will always force you to desire more! If you just having bought one middle-price thing and you are feeling well and satisfied with that – think - so much guys won’t make extra profits!!! The strategy is to make you desire “super thing 100”, make you sleeping badly without that, make you buy it and then…. Yes, right, you see the “super thing 200” ads on your way to office and feel badly again!
The resume I’ve done by all these processes is that my weakness to buy all that things and to pay so much attention is all about lack of self-respect and self-confidence! The root of this issue is that we’ve lost an ability to decide what to do, what our life should be like, what matters for me and why, etc.
We are taught just to look for shortcuts: “to be happy you have to be like this, wear that, drive that, otherwise you are looser anyway”.
I think, the right way to solve dilemmas like that is to listen to yourself and only to yourself! Just try to block all that outside noise and think that way: “what do I really need to myself personally? What kinds of material things fit my inner needs the most? Or how much items would satisfy my objective needs? If everyone on the Earth had had that particular thing and it doesn’t make me feel privileged to own one, would I still have been interested in? Does a possessing this one mean for me things like: “oh, how great it would be to show this one to my neighbor (co-worker, whoever esle, never matter)! Or “Peter and Jack and Julie already have it, am I worse? ”“ and so on you got the idea.
Extra consumption doesn’t make you happier by itself! I don’t mean that you shouldn’t have big V8 SUV or new Iphone, or high performing laptop, but you need to realize and critically comprehend that you need all of that stuff to bring e.g. your family and friends to the countryside to have a picnic, to have a real (not imaginary) opportunity to work with emails and internet while you’re out of the office, create beautiful 3D building projects and so on and that is the really worth. And you have to clearly understand what makes you happy and what is just a tool being useless without purpose, what is the cause and what is the consequence! That’s the way as I see it.

Reminds me of a talk Jim Rohn gave years ago. He said, "If you can make more should you? Yes. Even if you are happy with all you have, there's someone else you can bless with your excess". Of course I learned from you Randy to give only if it makes you happy to give. Thanks for that.

Joy can be found in watching a child find a penny.

Prosperity is far deeper than most of may ever understand.
A long, happy, joyous life salute to you Randy!