Satisfied With Enough

We are frequently on a quest for “more”, “bigger”, “better”, and “best”. My own story starts with a terra cotta planter that sits next to my front door. I’ve had it for some time now, and I have wanted to swap the pot out for a prettier option for several months. I have become preoccupied with the planter, spending countless hours searching for the perfect replacement.

On a recent walk through my neighborhood, I ventured many miles out in all different directions, intending to check out other people’s doorsteps for new ideas. But then a lightbulb went on. I suddenly realized what I already had was not only adequate but even better than what I was out searching for. I had been distracted by this pot for more time than I’m proud to mention, but at that moment, it suddenly looked better than anything I was surveying. Maybe not someone else’s preference, but I like what I had initially chosen! So much time wasted looking for something I already own.

A quest for a front door decoration suddenly became an “A-ha moment”!

As I walked through my area, on a beautiful morning with an incredibly blue sky, I noticed the crisp, fresh air, the warm sunshine, the squirrels in the trees, and the power in my steps. I felt grateful for every breath. It was no longer about the pot but my journey. It took an ordinary moment to make me realize what I have been looking for is already enough. This moment is enough.

Coincidentally (although I trust there are no real coincidences), I was also listening to a podcast where the guest talked about her goal to simply standstill. While I believe there is value in continuously growing and developing, there is equal value in experiencing a single moment or a single breath.

I was grateful for having an awakening in an ordinary instant in time. And I have decided I am going to keep the pot and quit searching for the next best thing. I have filled it with fresh, seasonal greenery, and it will free me up to concentrate on things that mean more, matter more, and make a bigger difference.

If you are on a journey to be satisfied with enough, here are a few of my tips:

Make a list. 

Determine which things are “wants” and “needs”. You will be surprised how your wants will change from day to day, and your needs are simple. They are the things that sustain you over the long run.

Focus on someone/something else. 

Giving back to your community or doing something for someone else allows you to put your priorities in order. Kind deeds help both the giver and the receiver.

Get up and get out. 

When you have time on your hands, it’s easy to get bored and attempt to fill your days. Rather than searching online for the perfect item, lace up your tennis shoes, and appreciate the fresh air. Just like snacking, people tend to spend money when they are bored. Be happy with what you have. Concentrate on things that will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise from the inside.  

You may also like 7 Habits That Will Significantly Enhance Your Day. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.