Enough is as good as a feast for your happy life.

It is back to school time at the McMillin household and that means getting the family back on a regular and earlier sleep schedule. We are having so much fun, that we tend to stay up later and later to get the most out of each day. While this sounds like a good thing for a happy life, it has a tendency to backfire because lack of sleep eventually robs us of our daily joy and good humor.

Enthusiasm is at the core of a happy life and enthusiasm can be very intense. That intensity feels good, and it is contagious and addicting. Intensity is a natural part of flow, which is one of the ways we can choose happiness, but it is not the only way. In his book, Authentic Happiness, Dr. Martin Seligman defines another quality of happiness- effusiveness, and makes the point that not everyone that is happy is effusive (energetic and intense). Happiness can also be expressed as contentment or satisfaction- quiet, ordinary, positive emotions.

Regardless of how you express happiness, scientists have found that sustainable, lasting happiness is also a matter of balance. We need variety to stay happy and we need pleasure, purpose, harmony in our beliefs, actions and relationships, and a rhythm of life that reminds us what we have to be grateful for.

I love this old English expression, enough is as good as a feast, when it comes to reminding myself to back off the intensity and let things go. When you find yourself wanting more, staying too long, pushing too hard, playing too long, eating too much, or otherwise going to excess to your own detriment, try this thought. See if you can be grateful for enough and move on to the next joy and blessing in your life to keep the balance, harmony and happiness going.

Enough is as good as a feast for your happy life.

Affirmation
I know when I have had enough of a good thing for my needs. When I have had enough, I express my gratitude and move on to something else.

Journal or Meditation Question
We live in a more is better society. Does that work for me in my happy life? Are there parts of my life where having enough is better than having more?

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