Defining 'enough'

Have you ever define ‘enough’ for yourself?

According to my reliable Oxford dictionary, it means ‘to do something / for doing something to a satisfactory degree; sufficiently’. OK, let’s stop for this definition. Well, it may sound too theoretical, so I believe that any of you would be keen on having your own meaning. I mean, in financial terms of course.

Human has basic needs. Soon as they are fulfilled, human tend to satisfy more of their necessities. Food, clothes, place to stay, sleep, sex (hey, that’s not my definition, that’s Maslow’s), excretion, breathing, are among them. Then, when we are able to search and invent, we are consuming various type of food with more delightful taste and mild textures, wearing luxurious-fabricated clothes, or living in a humongous habitat that resembles a manor. The problem is, to some people, these could be considered as heaven and wish a whole lifetime to gain them. Otherwise, to other people, they mean to include some more to their wealth by allowing any way possible.

How many do you get each month? Do you feel like having enough of it? Or do you wish to gain extra for your account? I am disturbed with people who claim other people’s belonging, money for example, to be used by themselves to extent their wealthiness to some degree. The Indonesian Minister of Finance herself has proclaimed that despite how high she could raise her subordinates’ wages, there will be no guarantee that they will avoid themselves to having extras by corrupting. To them, probably there are no limitations. They recognize no ‘enough’ whatsoever.

So how do we describe this omnipresence predicament? The seven deadly sins, a classification appeared early on Christianites era, define one of them is greedy. Others are wrath, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony – according to the final version. At Wikipedia, greed is defined as a very excessive or rapacious desire and pursuit of wealth, status and power. Consequentially when wealth arises, so will status and power. Anything is entitled to be possessed. So does other people’s or something that is not meant to be theirs.

Were not we taught at school for this morality highlight? I hardly believe so. Back to the old times, we were obliged to take ‘Penataran P4’ whenever we begin to swoop into new educational level. Though it might not be taught directly, greed was to be sure among the subject. However, I wish I could reread my Pancasila Morale Education (PMP) book these days …

I assume that it is important to determine the word ‘enough’ since early education. Requesting for more and more and always being fulfilled might increase the possibility to be greedy. It might be not easy for kids to hold their passion to have everything they want, but I’ll say, parents should illustrate them how to be grateful and thankful for everything they have possess. I myself, am still in process of defining my own definition of enough. Should you mean financially, I must sincerely confess that I desire more. Yet I am learning to define my limitations and realize my own strength …