Do You Realize You Have Enough?

The UN recently released its annual World Happiness Report, which rates well-being in countries around the world. For the sixth year in a row, Finland was ranked at the very top.

The fascinating thing is when Finns are asked about this ranking, most question the use of the word “happy” to encapsulate the Finnish mind-set. They don’t feel as though they are blatantly gregarious, jovial, smiling, or cheerful. They see themselves as even gloomy at times, but have more realistic expectations of life.

The Finnish way of life is summed up in “sisu,” a trait said to be part of the national character. The word roughly translates to “grim determination in the face of hardships,” such as the country’s long winters: Even in adversity, a Finn is expected to persevere, without complaining. Finns derive satisfaction from leading sustainable lives and perceive financial success as being able to identify and meet basic needs.

The biggest lesson we can take away from them is contentment is a better target. Most people that feel this, like the Finn’s, have found this awesome place, known as enough. When you know what is enough, you are content. Enough money. Enough material possessions. Avoiding comparing yourself to others or feeling bad from spending time on social media.

The place called enough is a very powerful place to be. When you feel as though you have enough, you can just stop and enjoy. How much is enough for you? Learning to be satisfied doesn’t mean you can’t, don’t or shouldn’t ever want more than you have, only that your happiness isn’t contingent on it.

Too many people don’t know that gratitude transforms what we have into enough. Even more don’t know that making the most of what we have turns it into more.

One way to obtain more gratitude is to simply say thank you for what you have right now. Keep saying it until you mean it. If you say it long enough and with enough conviction, you will believe it.

 “Learn to be happy with what you have while you pursue all you want.” – Jim Rohn

“If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.” ― Lao Tzu