How Much is Enough

Can you imagine a life with no problems, no stress, no drama, and nothing ever going wrong? Everyone makes perfect decisions, everyone’s kind, and the weather is always 76 and sunny with low humidity. You’ve got all the food, space, comfort, and entertainment you want. Your friends are great. Your work is fulfilling.

Let’s call this The Great Blessing.

Now, let me ask — what would actually happen if you lived The Great Blessing every day?

At first, you’d love it. Who wouldn’t? But anything repeated long enough gets old. You might start to take it for granted, forget that life could ever be any different, and somewhere along the way, your gratitude starts to slip. When gratitude slips, appreciation fades. When appreciation fades, contentment disappears — and suddenly, perfection doesn’t feel all that perfect anymore.

There’s an old Latin phrase I’ve always liked: Dulcius ex Asperis — “Through difficulty, sweetness.”

In other words, we appreciate the sweet only because we’ve tasted the bitter.

If every day were perfect, we’d lose the ability to recognize it as such. A little rain, as the poet said, must fall into every life.

Here in America, we tend to believe the good guys will win, hard work guarantees success, and every story deserves a happy ending. But most of the world doesn’t see it that way — they assume life will be hard, and when it isn’t, they’re pleasantly surprised. There’s a certain realistic wisdom in that.

The truth is, people can be difficult. Some are downright mean. Weather doesn’t always cooperate, and “perfect weather” depends on whether you’re skiing, farming, or sitting on a beach. And money? Well, money’s the trickiest weather system of all.

Most of us think, “If I just had enough money, I’d be worry-free.” But here’s something I’ve noticed — when we feel lack, we pray. When everything’s comfortable, we often… don’t. Maybe God allows a little lack now and then because He enjoys hearing from us.

Still, we wonder: How much is enough?

I ask this question of people and show guests all the time. Most people say, “A million dollars.” Lately, with inflation, the number’s two. Financial planners will tell you “25 times your annual expenses,” which means you’re living off 4% and never touching your principal.

So if you need $4,000 a month — about $48,000 a year — you’ll need $1.2 million. Live modestly, hope the house is paid for, and you’ll be fine.

But here’s something worth considering: in many well-developed countries, you can live comfortably for half that. Add Social Security, and the number drops again.

So maybe the better question isn’t “How much is enough?” but “When will I feel like it is?”

Because for most of us, the answer isn’t financial — it’s psychological.

I once saw a T-shirt that said, “Get even. Live long enough to be a burden to your children.” That still makes me laugh, but it’s not really our goal, is it? We want to live — and retire — with enough.

Enough for comfort. Enough for generosity. Enough to sleep well at night.

But if we’re honest, we’ve all been influenced by consumerism. George Carlin said a house is “a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” Every commercial we see whispers, You don’t have enough. Or worse, You’re not enough.

We don’t just want to fish — we want the boat. Then a faster boat. Then one with twin engines. Then a yacht. Then a super yacht. There’s always something newer, bigger, shinier, and somehow, whatever we have stops feeling like enough.

The moment we start listening to that voice, contentment leaves the room. Because “enough” isn’t a number — it’s a state of mind.

So how much is enough for you?

Maybe you already have it. Maybe you just haven’t slowed down long enough to say thank you.

I’m pulling for your ultimate success. Keep asking - wisdom pays.

Roger

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