I've been ruminating on this word ‘enough’. What does it mean? This word carries so much emotion for me. When I say the word, emotion bubbles up out of nowhere. I feel like it holds so much truth. As if it is spoken to me by source. Enough. Such a powerful word, don't you think? But what is enough? What does it mean about us? About our lives? If we say ‘I am enough’, what does that really mean? Does saying it feel true in your body? Does it resonate with you on a deeper level? This is the question for me because I feel like saying it is like confessing a truth that I wasn't even aware of. It feels like when I say I am enough it startles me into reality. It makes me sit up and say wait, what? I am? Do you feel the power of this word? Does it speak to the depths of you, and bypass the lies? Does it ring true somewhere beneath the doubt and disbelief?
What does it Mean to Have Enough?
Enough is one of a few words that embodies an emotion. I mean, granted, there are words like warm or cold that create a feeling in you, but this is different. Enough makes you feel something inside. It makes you ‘feel’ life’s abundance. To me it makes it easier to reflect on the abundance in my life and all around me. So, saying ‘I have enough’. To me just saying the words ‘I have enough’ is already powerful on its own. Add, I have enough ‘comfort’ or I have enough ‘sustenance’ or I have enough ‘vitality’, and it adds power to this already powerful word. It's feels supercharged somehow. It helps to shift your perspective.
How do I know I Am Enough?
I believe we all know we are enough and that is why the word feels like home. What hurts is that our enoughness becomes overshadowed by our paradigms. Overshadowed by expectations, traumas and blocks that we carry with us. The enoughness is always there because it’s our truth, but we forget. We have listened to too many stories to the contrary and when we are faced with the truth we are confused and caught off guard. So we turn away from it. We choose the lies. Have you chosen the lies? Or, do you know in your heart that you are enough but you’re too afraid to own it? Too afraid to be bold and tell the world? Is it possible the only reason you don't see your own 'enoughness' is that you don't allow yourself to actually see yourself in the first place? Is it possible that being enough stems from owning your authenticity ie. being fully you, in your already-enoughness!?
What does it Mean to Give Enough?
Wanting to feel enough is obvious. But what about the effects of giving enough in order to feel enough? Does being a generous, loving person have anything to do with whether or not you feel that 'i am enough' feeling? I don't think we give this too much thought but I would argue a resounding yes to that! Being kind is such a boost for your mental health! So is being generous with your time, your attention and your love. It's like spreading 'enoughness' like confetti! Being kind stimulates your endorphins, ie. it makes you feel good! That means both parties are feeling good! It's difficult to feel like you are unworthy when you feel good, am I right? It stands to reason that if we can't be happy and unhappy at the same time, being a loving human being makes us feel more worthy, more loved, more capable etc etc. There really is no downside to being a good human. Wink wink.
How do I Know that I Am Enough?
Knowing that I am enough is simply knowing that I was created. Whole and unique. Loved and chosen. Purposeful and blessed. I know I am enough because I was blessed with life. I heard someone say once 'God woke me up because he's not done with me yet' and to me that sums up this entire idea. Of course I'm enough. Of course you're enough. You weren't put here by mistake. Your life is very much intentional. We all wish to be 'worthy' of this life. Worthy of something. But, how can you doubt your worthiness when you were chosen to be here? How do I know that I am enough? I know because I was placed here. I was chosen. If we wake up every day and understand that we are exactly as we are meant to be, where we are meant to be and who we are meant to be, we can learn to embrace the journey. Stop looking for 'more' or feeling short changed. Your story is your story and it is what you make it. But, if you're asking if you're good enough for your story! Yes, you are!
So, What Is Enough?
Well, you. You are enough. Your dreams are enough. Everything about you is enough. Those things that makes us feel less than enough are the things that are taking us away from our enoughness. The sadness, the anger, the fear - these all rise up within us when we are blocking our enoughness. Being true to ourselves helps us face the world from a place of truth and gives us the strength to stand up for ourselves as unique and beautiful individuals. We no longer need to defend our place in the world which means we no longer feel sad, angry or scared! Know your worthiness is there regardless of any outside influences. Embrace your worthiness and you will find the joy that comes from listening to the whisper in your heart, calling out 'you are enough'. Steph x If you enjoyed this blog, head over and check out this one: Finding Joy in the Little Things