We have enough!

When Thanksgiving comes around each year, I like to reflect on a story author Kurt Vonnegut, best known for the novels Cat’s Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions, used to tell frequently about his friend and fellow author, Joseph Heller.

The two went to a party at a billionaire’s mansion in Shelter Island, New York. They walked in and found themselves in a room filled with artwork by Monet and Picasso. Vonnegut turned to Heller and asked, “How does it make you feel that our host earned more money yesterday than your novel, Catch-22, earned in its entire history?”

Heller replied, “Yeah, but I have something he can never have.”

Vonnegut replied, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”

And Heller replied, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”

I love that story. My wife and I are fortunate for a number of reasons. Oh, sure there are some things that we could use and we both have our “want lists.” When I tell my wife that the Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, which has a starting price of $98,950, tops my want list, she can’t stop laughing.

No, no, no new cars for Brian, not even something used or a bike to propel myself around town, but in the grand scheme of things we’re pretty lucky. Okay, we’re extremely fortunate. We have our family. We have our health. We have enough.

I write about a few of the things on my Thanksgiving Appreciation List in my blog, A grateful heart, on the Heart of The Matter. What’s tops on your list?

Related Story:

A grateful heart

on The Heart of The Matter

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30 thoughts on “We have enough!”

    1. Where’s the fun in the bike Jane? C’mon, that new Porsche would look pretty awesome in my driveway. Ha, ha, I’m just kidding. My wife likes to tease me by saying that she’s thinking of sending me to the doghouse, so she can get the sports car for herself. 😂😊No, I agree with Heller, I’m happy to have “enough.”

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  5. I love that conversation between Vonnegut and Heller. My husband and I were talking about that subject on our morning walk today. When he does retire, will we have enough? Yes. We don’t need new clothes, we eat less than we used to, we have a fine roof over our heads. We have our family. It’s enough.

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    1. It’s funny you mention that. When my wife and I talk retirement and finances, I usually think of the “enough” story too. Yes, we’d love a little more stability and we do have some wants that aren’t that out of this world (like my Porsche example) but the end of the day, we have enough. We’ll see. I expect to be working for another 10 years, but I suspect the responsibilities and job level may change over time. We’ll see.

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      1. I’m not sure when my husband plans to retire because he loves his job, the people he talks to daily — and he works remotely. I don’t know if he’d like being retired honestly — or if I want him to be 😅

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    1. Thank you Erin. The humor comes out naturally. Hopefully people get it. It’s not always the most appropriate. I mention a dramatic story about having enough and being grateful for what you’re given and I ruin whatever mood I set up by coming back with a silly line about wanting a $100,000 car. Really Brian? Ugh. As I mentioned, hopefully people get my sarcastic, silly humor. 🙂 🙂

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  10. Having enough! Yes! Brian, I was reading a couple of days ago in a discipline from Dr. Charles Stanley that talked about John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil and the first American billionaire. He said a reporter once asked him “How much is enough?” Rockefeller replied, “Just a little bit more.”

    The moral of this example is, “Our world is obsessed with getting more, spending more, doing more.” As you wisely mentioned, we have enough! We live a life without lack. Thanks for sharing this all-important reminder, and may you and your family have a FANtabulous Thanksgiving! 🥰💖😍🍗🍜

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