We have enough

(A version of this story first appeared in November 2023. We’re still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, but the story is still very appropriate.)

Each November, I like to reflect on a story author Kurt Vonnegut, best known for the novels Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five, used to tell 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 blessed for many 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 $105,500, 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.

What’s tops on your “enough list?”

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41 thoughts on “We have enough”

  2. Love this annual reminder, Brian. We have enough is such a powerful and freeing message. It’s hard to come to that realization as the context is so individual. But those who arrive at that freedom are truly blessed!

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    1. Context. Perspective. When I get frustrated with life’s little things, I try to ask for perspective. It really does wise me up to the important things. Yes, my ego would love that fast car, but my health, mental state would not. Gotta appreciate what we have. Thanks for reading.

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  3. Family and health is all I have on the “enough list.” I have come to appreciate that more and more each day as the years roll on. All the material stuff…we’re just “renting” it anyway.😊

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    1. This would be me. I kill myself working on my life’s dream. I win the Oscar for best picture. I get up on stage. I thank my wife. I thank the actors, producers, the camera man, and even the woman who made the coffee each day. And I forget my kids. I remember just as I’m walking off. I run back to the mic and over the music shout that I thank my kids too. “I love you honey. Sorry about that!!!!” Ha, ha.

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  13. As others have said, I don’t have enough stamina, enough arthritis-free mornings. And too many things We plan to move to a senior’s apartment in spring, and most of our stuff just won’t fit.

    I always think people should read history when they feel overwhelmed by the world situation and/or how politicians are ruining the country. Read about how the Vikings routinely raided UK villages and carried away the young people to be sold in slave markets in the Mediterranean. Or how the Vandals and Goths routinely trashed southern Europe. Living in relative peace and having police protection, however imperfect, is more than most past civilizations have known.

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